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When Macau Gets The Vaccine And How The Gaming Stocks Respond To This News

Article by : Helen Dec 23, 2020

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As far as the gaming industry is suffering from the Covid-19 pandemic, the news that the UK has approved a vaccine helps casinos to see the light shining through the dark. The vaccine was tested in a clinical trial that had started seven months ago. So, the UK is the first state to endorse a Covid-19 vaccine. The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) said that the distribution of the vaccine is going to start on December 7. People who are older than 80 and are living in care facilities, as well as frontline medical workers, will get the vaccines first. Anyway, this news gives the gaming industry faith, and while most casino properties around the world are still closed, gaming stocks come into play. Considering that the economy in Macau greatly depends on the gambling industry, it hopes to get the vaccine by the end of 2020.

The vaccine is the result of the collaboration of two drug firms such as Germany-based BioNTech and US-based Pfizer. The recommendation was created for DHSC by the UK’s Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Authority. “Vaccines are the most effective way to prevent infectious diseases. They save millions of lives worldwide. We have carried out a rigorous scientific assessment of all the available evidence of quality, safety, and effectiveness,” said Dr. June Raine, VHRA Chief Executive. A spokesperson of the health agency added: “The joint committee on vaccination and immunization will shortly also publish its latest advice for the priority groups to receive the vaccine, including care home residents, health and care staff, the elderly and the clinically extremely vulnerable.”

The latest news about the vaccine has led to casino stocks pushing up. The Asian properties like MGM China have added 4.16%, Wynn Macau has pushed up by 1.16%, and Sands China has also added 0.97%. At the same time, MGM Resorts has pushed by 1.87%, Wynn Resorts’ stocks increased by 2.77%, and Las Vegas Sands improved by 1.75%. There is a chance for the stock increase for Caesars Entertainment (increased by 0.97%) and Melco Resorts and Entertainment that has added 0.11%.

Health officials in Macau have started preparing the city for vaccinating, and they expect that the first portion of the vaccine will arrive at the end of December, meaning medical staff who are working on the frontline will get it first. The city residents will be able to get the vaccine after the second batch, including 1.4 million doses, arrives in Macau. Taking into account that the population of the city is approximately 682,000 inhabitants, there should be enough vaccine doses for everyone. However, firstly the vaccine will be available for those who study or work outside Macau.

We believe that the 1.4 million doses of vaccine could arrive by the first half of 2021, and if things go well they could even arrive by the end of the first quarter of next year.

However, travel limitations won’t be lifted in the near future, so gamblers who are eager to visit Macau aren’t still allowed to do it.

Ao Ieong also added that Macau is going to implement the community-based Covid-19 control measures and divide the city into 30 Coronavirus affected areas. The areas will be classified as high-risk and medium-risk by the local health authorities. In case an area has a medium-risk level, its residents won’t be allowed to cross the mainland-Macau border.

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