Business
Gaming commission provides casinos with reopening guidelines
The Mississippi Gaming Commission sent a letter Friday to casinos around the state outlining its guidelines for reopening casinos during the COVID-19 pandemic. Reopening day is Thursday, May 21.
The six-page letter goes into great detail covering hygiene, social distancing and occupancy limits. You can read the complete letter here, but some of the highlights are:
- Properties are limited to no more than 50% of maximum occupancy.
- All entry points must allow for screenings, which will include the following questions. (Employees will be asked the same questions at the beginning of their shifts.)
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- Have you been in close contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19 in the past 14 days?
- Are you experiencing a cough, shortness of breath or sore throat?
- Have you had a fever in the last 48 hours?
- Have you had new loss of taste or smell?
- Have you had vomiting or diarrhea in the last 24 hours?
If guests or employees answer “yes” to any of the questions, they will not be allowed to enter.
- During the screening, guests will be asked to use hand sanitizer and encouraged to wear a mask (provided by the property) while on property.
- Employees will be required to wear masks while on the property.
- Hand sanitizer stations will be provided at all entries and throughout the floor.
- Any areas where lines can form will be marked for 6-foot intervals.
- Valet discontinued, unless the property has a specific plan.
- No entertainment or special event gatherings.
- No promotions or table game tournaments.
- VIP areas and Poker Rooms will remain closed.
- Player’s Club will be open.
- Casino gyms and spas will be allowed to open under the same rules for those facilities issued earlier by the state of Mississippi.
Table Games
- Three chair/guest limit per table. Only chairs on either end and in the middle of the table will be provided.
- Three players maximum on each side of a dice table.
- Guests will be encouraged not to touch the cards in card games.
- Staff will sanitize table game rails and chairs after guests leave.
- Poker rooms will remain closed.
Slot Machines
- Machines will be turned off or moved to provide 6-foot minimum between slot machines.
- Slot machines will be sanitized at least once every four hours
- Slot floor will be deep cleaned daily
Food and Beverages
- Food may be offered subject to restrictions in executive order 1478.
- Beverages may be offered to guests on the playing floor.
- Food service stations, carts, counters, rails and trays must be sanitized at least once per hour.
Hotel
- Housekeeping room services will be provided at checkout only, or upon request by the guest.
Read the complete gaming commission letter (PDF).
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