Mass. Casinos Cleared for Full Reopening This Weekend
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Boston, Massachusetts 2021-05-26 13:36:55 –
Massachusetts slot parlors and two resort casinos can return to near-normal pre-pandemic operations this weekend, approximately 440 days after they were closed or operated under restrictions to stop the COVID-19 epidemic. I will.
“Good luck during this big weekend. Best of all, we can all pause and look back on the losses that have occurred in the last 15 months. These are all over the country, around the world, and It’s been huge here in Massachusetts. Massachusetts Games Commission Chairman Kathy Judd Stein voted 4-0 on Wednesday to lift the remaining COVID-19 restrictions on casinos and slot parlors. After that, he said, “I sincerely hope that this will also be a sustainable resumption for you. We wish you all the best of luck and the health and safety of all our patrons and employees. I would like to say. “
Governor Charlie Baker lifted almost all COVID-19 business restrictions on Saturday, but the game areas of Plainridge Park Casino, MGM Springfield, and Angkor Boston Harbor are under the jurisdiction of the Commission, and each facility is under the jurisdiction of the Commission on Wednesday. I heard about your plans. Resume and decide how to lift the restrictions.
Representatives of each facility told the Commission that the governor would like to return to pre-pandemic activities to lift COVID-19 restrictions this weekend, subject to the ability to meet the demands of gamblers.
Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker toured Everett Casino on Wednesday. The state has moved from mass vaccination sites to smaller community-based operations such as Angkor.
“This means opening up all slot machines, all game tables, returning the restaurant to its previous occupancy and regaining occupancy on the game floor,” said Senior Vice President of Angkor Boston Harbor. One Jacqui Krum said. “Fully vaccinated guests will not wear masks and will continue to provide free masks for guests to use,” she added.
Seth Stratton, Vice President and Legal Advisor at MGM Springfield, told the Commissioner after Clam’s presentation, “We will generally say’I too’to what Jackie said. I agree with her comment. “
“We are looking for the ability to return to the pre-COVID environment at our discretion, following business instructions,” he said. Stratton added, “We have determined that it is in line with state and federal guidance and are seeking the flexibility to phase out COVID-related restrictions, but as of 29, all COVID-related mitigation strategies have been implemented. I’m not going to eliminate it. It’s a step-by-step process and, of course, keeps the committee informed of how it’s going. “
North Grownsel, General Manager of Plainridge Park, said Plainville’s slot parlor “enables all activities permitted by laws and regulations in which business demand exists and meets the first two requirements. I want to make available team members to meet. “
The return of the three gaming centers to pre-pandemic operations means a return to standard occupancy levels, restarts of all slot machines, table games with player seats, removal of most plexiglass barriers, and completeness. Means to allow vaccinated gamblers to wear masks. -freedom. It also means returning to the pre-pandemic cocktail service, eliminating the need for guests to be seated to serve drinks.
Slots reopened at Plainridge Park Casino for the first time since mid-March.
The Commission voted to lift the restriction on Saturday at 12:01 am, but all three facilities stated that the changes would not take effect when switched on. Plainridge aims to open in the new environment at 9am on Saturday, and MGM and Encore have stated that they will not immediately take full advantage of the new quota. For example, both casinos said they probably wouldn’t open the game area bar at 12:01 am.
“I was thinking of walking around with champagne,” Krumm said. “I think there’s a lot of excitement, so it’s certainly not a complete” all restaurants are open and bars go “, but we’ll have a little celebration around 12:01. “
On Wednesday, each licensee presented the committee with plans to return to pre-pandemic operations and explained how to communicate with guests about expectations. All three facilities said they would continue to comply with the guidelines and rules of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Massachusetts Public Health Service, and the Community Health Service, and would continue to report positive cases of COVID-19 to the Commission. ..
The commissioner said he was pleased with what each facility offered before voting to lift the restrictions, provided that he followed the plan presented on Wednesday.
“I’m generally happy with the relaxation of casino restrictions,” said Enrique Zniga. “I think the plan is very appropriate.”
Commissioner Eileen O’Brien agreed and reminded licensees that commissions could re-impose restrictions if public health conditions were justified.
“For the past 15 months or more, the cooperation of staff, this committee, and licensees has allowed everyone to keep the door open,” she said. We know we can convene again. We will do what we need to do to limit exposure and damage at each facility, but I think we are happy with the thinking process for resumption. “
The Commission oversaw the closure of the state arcade in mid-March, initially for two weeks and finally in April, May and June. Since mid-July, three gambling halls, two casino hotels, and various retailers in the property have limited capacity, limited games they can offer, and are subject to fees and state restrictions that remove glitz from gambling. It was operated.
“Overall, Massachusetts casinos lost an estimated 32 percent of their total business days in 2020 due to a pandemic,” the American Gaming Association reported earlier this month.
Both said they intend to resume normal pre-pandemic operations, but neither Angkor nor MGM Springfield promise to bring poker back on Wednesday.
The casino said that under the rules of the committee, only four players were allowed at the table and poker would not have benefited them. However, as the limit on the number of players at the committee’s table will be lifted on Saturday, facility officials will assess the future of poker and announce a decision to bring it back by the end of 2021. Said.
“We continue to monitor poker needs and whether they can be regained,” said Daniel Miller, director of compliance at MGM Springfield. “We also decided to make a decision by December 31st.”
Casinos and slot parlors are set up to expand gaming and hospitality opportunities, allowing game agents and investigators to cover more areas. Captain Brian Connors, commander of the state police gambling executive, said his team would prepare for the changes coming to the casino this weekend.
“We’ve been anticipating this big step towards reopening for quite some time … we’re in a very good position,” he said. “There is no big concern.”
Mass. Casinos Cleared for Full Reopening This Weekend – NBC Boston Mass. Casinos Cleared for Full Reopening This Weekend – NBC Boston
