SJM donates MOP20 mln to Hubei

Gaming operator SJM Holdings, which holds 22 casinos in the territory, announced today that it will donate MOP20 million (US$2.5 million) to fight the outbreak of the new coronavirus.

In a statement, SJM indicates that the donation is intended to purchase protective equipment and medical supplies to assist in efforts to prevent and combat the disease in China’s Hubei province, where the first cases of infection were detected in Wuhan.

“We wish a speedy recovery to all people and all economies affected by the virus,” said SJM’s chairman, Daisy Ho, daughter of the group’s founder Stanley Ho.

According to the same note, the concessionaire indicated to strictly observe the preventive measures defined by the Government of Macau, remaining united with the community in the fight to prevent the spread of the disease.

SJM is the third concessionaire to make a donation to Hubei province.

On January 29, Melco Resorts, which operates four casinos in the territory, had announced a donation of Hk$20 million Hong Kong to Hubei. On February 2, it was the turn of the Galaxy Entertainment Group, with six casinos, also announcing MOP20 million for the same province.

All donations were made in coordination with the Liaison Office of the central Chinese government in the Macau SAR.

China today raised to 490 deaths and more than 24,300 infected the balance of the pneumonia outbreak caused by a new coronavirus (2019-nCoV) detected last December in Wuhan, capital of central Hubei province, placed under quarantine.

There were 64 deaths in China recorded in the past 24 hours, according to Beijing officials.

In addition to the mainland of China and the Chinese regions of Macau and Hong Kong, there are other confirmed cases of infection in more than 20 countries, the latest new case identified in Belgium.

The World Health Organization (WHO) declared on Thursday an international public health emergency situation, which presupposes the adoption of prevention and coordination measures worldwide.