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Gaming commission provides casinos with reopening guidelines

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Slot machines will be turned off or moved to provide 6-feet between machines. (Photo by Antoine Taveneaux - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, )https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=15925825

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.)
    1. Have you been in close contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19 in the past 14 days?
    2. Are you experiencing a cough, shortness of breath or sore throat?
    3. Have you had a fever in the last 48 hours?
    4. Have you had new loss of taste or smell?
    5. 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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