Macau’s casinos have opened once again, following their temporary closure due to Super Typhoon Ragasa. In the meantime, authorities encouraged travelers to double-check ferry and flight times, as delays were still possible.
Macau’s Casinos Had to Close Due to the Extreme Weather
Macau’s Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau (DICJ) recently held an emergency meeting to prepare for the looming cyclone and implement the measures necessary to protect its citizens and tourists.
Among other things, the Meteorological and Geophysical Bureau sounded Typhoon Signal No. 8. Casinos were instructed to arrange for all guests and employees to exit the casino premises within 2 hours of the signal.
Back then, casinos and authorities expressed commitment to following the emergency protocols and ensuring that everyone is safe.
Macau Returns to Normalcy as the Typhoon Passes
According to the latest news from the special administrative region, local officials have now lifted the emergency, following the typhoon’s passing. For context, the immediate response to the typhoon had been lifted as of 11 pm the previous night, as per an executive order by the chief executive of the Civil Protection Centre.
As a result, casinos were allowed to reopen at 2 am on September 25, with the local gaming industry returning to its normal operation.
In the meantime, ferry services between Macau and Hong Kong have now been resumed. The Marine and Water Bureau, encouraged passengers to contract ferry operators to verify any potential schedule and ticketing updates.
In the meantime, the Civil Aviation Authority warned that flight delays are still possible due to the typhoon and advised travelers to double-check for flight time changes.
Golden Week Is Just Around the Corner
With the typhoon alarm out of the way, casino operators in Macau can continue to prepare for the Golden Week holiday. Some analysts’ forecasts suggest that this year’s Golden Week, set to run from September 29 through October 6, will be the strongest since the COVID pandemic.
Experts predicted that daily gambling revenue would average MOP 1.05 billion ($131 million) throughout the period and added that casinos’ greatest challenge would be to keep the momentum going.