GGCT closely monitors Japan’s earthquake and tries all means to contact Macau residents touring Japan

The Tourism Crisis Management Office (GGCT) has been monitoring the situation and the effects of the earthquake that occurred in Sendai, Northeastern Japan, and will continue to maintain contact with the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of PRC in Macau, the travel industry, the representatives of the Macao Government Tourist Office (MGTO) in Japan and Taiwan, to follow up on the latest developments. Earlier today, a strong earthquake occurred off the eastern coast of Sendai, Japan. The two airports in Tokyo were partly shut, while public transport and communication systems were heavily affected. GGCT will continue to closely monitor the calamity, and urges Macau residents and tourists in Japan to be aware of personal safety and pay attention to local safety instructions. Macau residents requiring assistance can call the Tourism Hotline (853) 28333000. According to information provided by the travel industry, there are 2 Macao residents who joined a HK tour in Tokyo, and have been arranged to go to a safe place; on the other hand, through airlines and other sources, GGCT understands that there are around 20 Macau residents travelling individually in Japan, and have successfully contacted some of them and was assured of their safety. GGCT will continue to maintain contact with them and find ways to get in touch with other Macau residents that are in Japan. Until now, GGCT received one request for assistance and 25 inquiries: 1 Macao resident on business trip stranded in Narita airport, Japan called for assistance, but already departed Japan after the airport reopened; the enquiries revolve around difficulties in contacting relatives in Japan and one concerns the issue of Tsunami warning in Taiwan. On the other hand, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of PRC issued an emergency announcement regarding the severe earthquake in the North-Eastern region of Japan on March 11th, stating that every possible effort will be deployed to assist Chinese citizens, and should there be casualties or any other injuries, they can contact the Embassy through the following numbers: 1. Mobile phone: 090-7835-2685; 090-4830-5150; 080-1138-973
2. Telephone: 03-3403-3388, extension 8712
3. Fax: 03-3403-5447; 03-3403-3380; 03-3403-3345 Air Macau also informed passengers that are departing to Tokyo in the next two days to call the following numbers before departure: 83965555 or 66626776; or visit Air Macau's website www.airmacau.com.mo, in order to find out the newest flight schedules. The flights that might be affected are NX9828 departing tomorrow to Tokyo and NX828 departing to Tokyo the day after tomorrow; NX9827 returning tomorrow from Tokyo to Macau and NX827 the day after tomorrow. Tourism Crisis Management Office, 11 of March, 2011.