According to the recent situation of the global epidemic, China requires to adhere the policy of “guarding against the importation of cases and the resurgence of domestic infections” and to maintain the general policy of “dynamic zero”.  Mr. Lo Iek Long, Director of the Health Bureau (SSM) of Macao SAR announced “an emergency response plan for a large scale epidemic situation of COVID-19” yesterday.  In the plan, Macau will implement general preventive measure, sectional control measure and general control measure according to different situations.  If the “sectional control measure” and “general control measure” are implemented, life support and social support team will be formed to ensure the basic daily needs of citizens.  Macau International Airport Company Limited (CAM) held the 14th Epidemic Prevention Response Committee (Expanded) Meeting on 18th March, 2022, hosted by the Chairman of the Executive Committee of CAM, Dr. Deng Jun. 3 other members of the executive committee and all the Department Directors (substituted by deputy directors for those who have on leave), the General Manager of Airport Information Management Solutions (AIMS) and SEMAC Security Company (SEMAC) have participated in the meeting.  To inform the latest epidemic prevention situation related to each department, checkup the scope of works for each departments, and the backup plan related to the development of the epidemic.

Chairman Deng pointed out at the beginning of the meeting that Macau International Airport (MIA) is facing the dual pressures of operation and epidemic prevention, and must adhere to the company's core value of "safety, efficiency and effectiveness".  Ensure the strict implementation of safety measures for aircraft and passengers, as well as scientific and accurate epidemic prevention and control measures.  To implement the government's prevention and control measures and requirements, to do a good job in the epidemic prevention work of the airport. Management of various departments and companies should strengthen organizational management, go into the front line of prevention and control, to check and prevent loopholes.  In particular, it is necessary to establish the ability of epidemic prevention and control system, the responsibility can be assigned to people. Once close contacts or abnormal phenomena are found, they should be reported in time, controlled in a timely manner, and appropriate non-proliferation measures should be taken.  The key work of the front-line operators and service providers in the airport's epidemic prevention will be coordinated by the Director of the Airport Operations Department (AOD), and the implementation of relevant measures will be strengthened in accordance with the guidelines of the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Civil Aviation Authority of Macau.  The company's internal key epidemic prevention is coordinated by the Director of the Finance and Administration Department (FAD), and the implementation of relevant measures is strengthened in accordance with the government's guidelines and the requirements of the Executive Committee.  The General Managers of AIMS and SEMAC are responsible for their own epidemic prevention responsibilities, and must follow the guidelines of government departments, company executive committees, and relevant management departments to strengthen the implementation of epidemic prevention measures.  The heads of the abovementioned units will continue to report the epidemic prevention situation to the Executive Directors in charge, and immediately notified the Director of the Executive Committee Office (ECO) and the Director of the Corporate Communications and Policy Research Office (CPO) of emergencies, so that the company could take timely response measures.  In addition, FAD must strive to strengthen the protection of the staff's anti-epidemic resources, and AOD must ensure the safety, reliability and effectiveness of the front-line staff's services, and care for their physical and mental health.  Encourage employees to complete the second and third vaccinations as soon as possible to build a good immune system to defend against virus invasion.

Executive Director of CAM, Mr. Chu Tan Neng hoped that Airport Operations Department (AOD) and SEMAC Security Company (SEMAC) would prepare proposal about the personnel contingency plan to cope with the possible implementation of COVID-19 prevention and control measures by the government in advance, such as accommodation arrangements, etc., so as to maintain the daily port operation of the airport.

Executive Director of CAM, Mr. Kan Cheok Kuan believed that CAM's current goal is to reduce the risk of the recent outbreak. He believed that the Macau International Airport (MIA) as the first line of defense, cannot afford to fail. Therefore, he advised frontline and back office staff to reduce the risk of cross-infection and enhance the barrier, it is hoped that the person in charge of each unit will inform their employees to minimize unnecessary travel and entertainment activities.   In CAM office building, a series of prevention and control measures will be introduced to reduce the risk, from internal to the tenants, in order to reduce personnel movement and contact. In addition, the situation of the pandemic is changing rapidly, and he believed that digitalizing related pandemic prevention information of staff will improve the prevention and control ability.

Executive Director of CAM, Mr. Lei Si Tai also attached great importance to the procedures of handling import air cargo. MIA and ground handling company should strictly implement the procedures established by the government and pay attention to details to avoid omissions. At the same time, he hoped the relevant entities to make proposals, in the case of emergency staff arrangements. For the projects that have been carried out, Infrastructure Development Department (IFD) is required to arrange the contractors to do materials and equipment preparation and personnel arrangement in advance, so as to ensure the completion of the project on time.

Directors of each department briefed their works respectively. Among them, Mr. Gary Geng, Director of the Airport Operations Department (AOD), explained that in addition to the regular epidemic prevention work in the airport, he also pays attention to the characteristics of this wave of epidemics, communicates with the authorities in a timely manner and puts forward suggestions, cooperates with each other to improve defense capabilities.  Mr. Paul Leong, General Manager of SEMAC Security Company, said that they will strictly follow the epidemic prevention guidelines of the government and the airport.  Staffs maintained nucleic acid tests at least twice every three days, and kept stock of epidemic prevention materials from time to time. To encourage staffs to get the third shot of the vaccine to protect themselves, their families and passengers, and to educate colleagues who are exposed in high-risk position to increase their concept on risks and epidemic prevention.  Ms. Grace Cheang, Director of the Finance and Administration Department (FAD), reported that employees have started to receive the third dose vaccination, and the CAM office building is strengthening access control management, it will be helpful for epidemic prevention work, and will support various departments in the future for any possible epidemic prevention budget approval.  Mr. Frank Wu, Director of Logistics and General Aviation Development Department (LGD), said that airport logistics is mainly based on re-exported export goods, and the import volume accounts for about 10%.  Menzies Macau Airport Services Co., Ltd. will also require freight forwarders to strictly abide by the epidemic prevention measures set by the government, update and adjust dynamically at any time.  Director of Information Technology Development Department cum General Manager of AIMS, Ms. Sharon Wang noted that they are always keeping abreast of the Government's information on the epidemic, informed colleagues immediately; properly grasped the trajectory of employees, and encouraged them to get the third dose of the vaccine. Director of Corporate Communications and Policy Research Office, Ms. Vicki Mou said that good communication with the media has been in place and will cooperate with relevant authorities in the release of information on epidemic measures, ensuring smooth communication of internal and external information from all aspects and the news release on the dynamic adjustment of Macau International Airport’s measures in response to the epidemic. Deputy Director of Marketing Department, Ms. Elizabeth Cheong reported that they would continue to maintain close contact with the airlines, keep up of the passenger traffic situation, and update to the management in due course. Director of the Executive Committee Office, Ms. Katy Lo expressed that disinfection and preventive measures has been strengthened in document management, and avoiding express mail by using emails and other methods as much as possible. The office staff are not encouraged going out during this period. Deputy Director of Infrastructure Development Department, Mr. Alex Fong reported the current project progress currently carried out at the airport and has been reminding the contractors from time to time to strictly manage their employees, such as on travel trajectory and NAT.

In his conclusion, Chairman Deng pointed out that the Airport Operations Department and SEMAC Security Company have a large number of employees, among which the staff mobility of SEMAC is high. He hopes to take stricter measures to prevent the normal operation of the airport from being affected. And personal epidemic prevention work should also be carried out, with special personnel to manage for all the information gathering to play a practical role. The Chief Executive takes Macau International Airport as the major unit, it is hoped everyone will do a good job of professionalism and put it in place. The heads of each unit should take relevant responsibilities, move forward on the road of completing more than 800 days of epidemic prevention, continue to be strict, and resolutely handle all matters.