Streets in Macau were largely empty on Monday with all casinos and other non-essential businesses shut on the first day of a week-long suspension, as the gambling hub raced to contain a growing Covid outbreak.

Residents were ordered to stay at home unless they needed to buy daily supplies, get tested for Covid, or were deemed to be essential workers.

Authorities warned that police would be patrolling the streets and anyone breaking the rules would face stringent punishment.

Only essential services and certain businesses in the SAR, such as supermarkets, restaurants and healthcare facilities, were allowed to remain open.

A noodle shop owner told RTHK that the flow of people had greatly reduced in the area. He said he planned to close the store for a few days after clearing his inventory.

Four more citywide mass Covid testing exercises were planned for the week, while certain groups of people, including those delivering food and bus drivers, were told to get screened every day.

The gambling hub reported 59 new Covid infections on Monday, bringing the tally in its ongoing outbreak to 1,526.