Macau officials have ordered the temporary closure of the hotel containing the troubled Greek Mythology Casino for “harming the image of Macao’s tourism sector.”

On Friday, the Macao Government Tourist Office (MGTO) ordered the Beijing Imperial Palace Hotel – formerly known as the New Century Hotel – to shut down on Saturday (23) due to its operator having “committed serious administrative irregularities, constituting threats to public safety.” The closure will last six months.

The MGTO claimed that past inspections of the Imperial Palace had uncovered multiple instances of illegal reconstructions that presented “serious fire safety issues,” including obstructed escape routes, use of flammable construction materials, defective lighting and smoke detection systems, inadequate number of fire extinguishers, etc.

The MGTO’s inspections had already led to the closure of a number of the property’s dining and other facilities but the MGTO claims the owners had failed to bring their building up to code. Until the necessary changes are made, the public is forbidden from setting foot on the property. The closure marks the first time that Macau officials have shut down a five-star hotel.