MGM China’s Cotai casino in Macau has been shut down after a dealer tested positive for COVID-19 on Sunday. The city officials have issued an order for everyone inside to remain there until November 1. MGM have not issued any statement yet.

The city government said in a statement, “Casinos, hotel staff and hotel guests will be quarantined in place immediately.”. They also mentioned that nearby stores and restaurants attached to the casino will also remain closed.

The unexpected closure of the casino worsened the struggles of the casino operator as they have already been facing COVID restrictions for more than two and a half years.

According to Inside Asian Gaming, government health workers are at the MGM Cotai site with no one permitted to enter or leave the building. The publication was not able to verify how many people were inside at the time of lockdown.

After having no cases for more than three months, Macau detected its third coronavirus case this month. The infections occurred just before the resumption of mainland Chinese tourists’ incoming tours in November following a break of more than two and a half years.

Macau’s government, in a statement, said, “All of Macau’s 700,000 residents must take a rapid antigen test for COVID daily from Oct. 30 to Nov. 1.” However, they did not mention anything about the MGM closure.

Due to the coronavirus restrictions on operating casinos and China’s ‘dynamic zero COVID’ policy, Macau’s casinos have been losing millions of dollars every month.

Currently, the six casino operators of Macau – Sands China, Wynn Macau, Galaxy Entertainment, MGM China, Melco Resorts and SJM Holdings – are waiting for the government to grant them their new licenses.