The government of Macao has placed the Chinese special administrative region under lockdown following a surge in coronavirus infections.

Macao had been without a major outbreak since the first case was reported in January, 2020.

But health authorities say the number of Omicron variant cases has rapidly increased since mid-June and more than 1,500 people have tested positive over the past three weeks.

The government has told residents to stay indoors for one week starting Monday, except to buy food or other necessities. It warned that violators would be criminally punished.

Casinos, Macao's main industry, were ordered to close on Monday, following movie theaters and karaoke parlors that have been closed since late last month.

Macao has been taking antivirus measures not necessarily in line with Beijing's policy because it is given a high degree of autonomy under the "one country, two systems" framework.

But the latest measures are more aligned with Beijing's "zero-COVID" policy. The stricter measures are affecting Macao's economy and the lives of residents.