Macau on Sunday announced a mass Covid testing exercise after 12 coronavirus cases were found in the SAR. All schools have been closed until further notice.

Describing the situation as "a state of prevention and control", the exercise aims to test everyone within 48 hours starting from noon on Sunday.

The Macau government said the city was facing "extremely high" risks of community transmission.

Officials appealed to businesses, except supermarkets and markets, to close temporarily to prevent the virus from spreading.

The government asked restaurants to only serve take-aways and residents to avoid gatherings and going out.

Authorities also cautioned against panic buying, saying they would ensure a stable supply of daily necessities.

Anyone who leaves Macau must present proof of a negative PCR test result obtained within the previous 24 hours.