The post-typhoon recovery subsidy for small- and medium-sized enterprises will be increased from 30,000 patacas to 50,000 patacas, the Office of the Government Spokesperson announced yesterday afternoon in a press briefing giving updates on the Government’s post-storm clean-up and recovery efforts.

The Director of the Macao Economic Services, Mr Tai Kin Ip, told reporters that the Bureau had received 3,500 applications for the post-typhoon recovery subsidy as of 1pm yesterday afternoon, with 334 cases so far approved.

The Government Spokesperson and Director of the Government Information Bureau, Mr Chan Chi Ping, noted that many foreign journalists had come to Macao over the past few days to report on the impact of Typhoon Hato and were able to carry out their work smoothly. He pointed out that some individuals were refused entry to Macao for security reasons and this had nothing to do with the profession of the individuals concerned.

According to the Education and Youth Affairs Bureau, six schools were forced to postpone the start of their new school year due to facilities having been damaged by last week’s storm.

Five child nurseries had to be closed temporarily for repair as a result of Typhoon Hato. The storm also damaged 102 facilities of social service organisations. The Social Welfare Bureau is now providing emergency support to the affected organisations to prevent disruption of services.

The city’s water supply and power supply networks have been restored to normal capacity.