Super typhoon Yagi has severely limited non-land based travel to Macau, with ferry services between the gaming hub and Hong Kong suspended entirely as of 3pm (from Hong Kong) and 4pm (from Macau).
The Hong Kong Observatory hoisted the Typhoon Signal number 8 at 6:20pm on Thursday, while Macau followed suit at 10pm.
Typhoon Signal 8 was replaced with Signal 3 in Hong Kong at 12:40pm on Friday, while in Macau it was replaced at 2pm.
TurboJet, operated by the Shun Tak group had already limited its sailings due to the typhoon, while Cotai Water Jet, operated by Sands China, halted all of its sailings from Hong Kong at noon and from Taipa at 2pm.
The bus service across the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau bridge was also suspended once the Typhoon Signal 8 has been hoisted.
As of 4pm on Thursday, Macau International Airport had cancelled some 19 departing flights for Thursday and five flights for Friday, along with 22 inbound flights for Thursday and nine inbound flights for Friday.
Macau’s casinos remained open despite the typhoon, and hotels in integrated resorts indicated they would also remain open, while some F&B outlets closed or reduced their hours due to the Signal 8.
The Macau Government Tourism Office (MGTO) has issued a safety reminder for visitors – indicating that public transportation services are suspended when Signal 8 is hoisted. Integrated resort operators also halted their shuttle bus services. In addition, the bridges between Macau and Taipa closed, except for the underground tunnel of the Sai Wan Bridge.
The arrival of the typhoon has also led to the postponement of the opening shows of one of Macau’s top tourism events – the Fireworks Display Contest – which was meant to kick off on September 7th.
