Briefs | Estoril Swimming pool reopens

The Estoril public swimming pool has reopened to the public on April 1 at the start of the Summer Season, after undergoing works. As in previous years, the facility operating under the Sports Bureau is open to the public until November 30. The working hours of the venue also remain the same, namely Monday from 1p.m. to 10:30p.m. and from Tuesday to Sunday, between 7a.m. to 12noon and 1p.m. to 10:30p.m.

Tourist arrivals during Easter drop 4.7 percent

According to a statement from the Public Security Police Force on the behalf of immigration authorities, over 2.11 million border crossings were registered at Macau’s seven checkpoints over the Easter Holiday period from March 30 to April 2. Of that number, half represent the number of arrivals, according to the PSP, with 753,461 visitors entering through the Border Gate, representing approximately 71.6 percent of total arrivals. The same data shows that more than half of the arrivals were residents and non-resident workers, with just over 400,000 tourist arrivals. This represents a sharp 4.7 percent decrease compared to the same holiday period in 2017.

Wynn Macau extends maternity, paternity paid leave

Wynn Macau announced the enhancement of its maternity and paternity benefits for all eligible employees yesterday. According to a statement from the company, the duration of paid maternity leave will be increased from 56 days (eight weeks) to 70 days (10 weeks). Meanwhile, paid paternity leave will be extended from two days to seven days. Both extensions take effect from May 1, and apply to employees who have completed one year of continuous service as of the date of confinement. The company notes that paternity leave can be taken on or within 30 days after the birth of the child.

Autism support center expected in 2020

The Social Affairs Bureau (IAS) expects to complete construction of a support center for autism patients in 2020. During a recent activity related to autism, Choi Sio Un, chief of the department of the social solidarity of IAS, noted that in the bureau’s 10-year plan, the government has planned to build the center somewhere between 2018 and 2020.  At the current stage, a preliminary consideration for the center’s services has already been formed, but the exact number of people that the center should serve is still under discussion. Currently, Macau has 380 people with autism.

Construction of new Border Gate to start this year

The government is trying to start the construction of the planned immigration checkpoints’ facilities near the Border Gate this year.  According to a report by Macao Daily News, at the current stage, the Macau government has already initiated the design of the port.  The port, named Qing Mao port in Mandarin, will be situated about 800 meters southwest of the Macau Border Gate and the Gongbei Port. It will mainly have e-Channels, and it has been designed to accommodate 200,000 daily crossings.