Free vaccines for residents only, blue card holders excluded

Only Macau residents are entitled to free vaccinations against the diseases offered under the “Vaccination/Immunization Programme,” and Government-procured vaccines will not be given to visitors, the Health Bureau revealed in a statement. The Bureau released the statement in response to public concerns there could be a shortfall in vaccine supply if tourists came to Macau seeking vaccinations. The Bureau assured the public that the Government has sufficient reserves of vaccines and that visitors will not be eligible for free vaccinations at public health clinics. Like tourists, non-resident workers (blue card holders) have to obtain a medical prescription and pay for vaccinations, the Times confirmed with Alexis Tam’s office yesterday. The only vaccinations available for a fee to both non-residents and visitors are medical emergency-related vaccinations, such as those against tetanus.

Gaming employment rate on the rise, construction down

Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that the unemployment rate for December 2015 to February this year held stable at 1.9 percent as it was the previous period. The underemployment rate was 0.5 percent, up by 0.1 percentage point. Total labor force was 397,800 and the labor force participation rate stood at 72.5 percent. Total employment increased slightly by 100 between November 2015 and January 2016, to 390,400. Analyzed by industry, employment in Construction registered a decrease, while that in Gaming & Junket Activities saw an increase, a note from the DSEC stated.

Environmental fair opens with ‘circular economy’

The Green Forum of MIECF 2016 will comprise of six forums and a keynote presentation by a world-renowned guest, the pioneer in a circular economy and founder of cradle-to-cradle and performance economy concepts, Professor Walter R. Stahel. Professor Stahel will give a keynote speech at the opening ceremony tomorrow morning, addressing the major developments and trends of the circular economy in depth. Prof. Stahel’s view is that, just like a flowing river, in a linear industrial economy, products made from raw materials that finally end up in the hands of the consumers are the cause of excess and waste at every stage of their lives. The MIECF 2016 takes place at the Venetian Macao from tomorrow until April 2 under the theme “Green Economy – Opportunities for Waste Management”.