Screening process for guests and employees
As the novel coronavirus continues to spread across the United States, casinos are stepping up their precautionary measures to protect guests and employees.
anyone with a temperature higher than 100 degrees will be referred for medical treatment
The Encore Boston Harbor in Massachusetts is implementing a screening process for everyone entering the casino facility. Both guests and employees will undergo monitoring. Anyone with a temperature higher than 100 degrees will be referred for medical treatment.
Officials of the Encore Boston Harbor consulted with a Johns Hopkins University Hospital epidemiologist who helped create the new preventive policies. The changes follow recommendations by the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and the state’s Department of Public Health.
New health policies in place
Along with checking the temperature of individuals as they enter the facility, the Encore is offering on-call doctors for patrons who are not feeling well. The casino concierge will provide physicians for anyone who wishes to speak to a medical professional about any symptoms they may be experiencing.
Hand sanitizers are available in staff and public areas to provide a quick way for hand washing.
Frequent sanitizing practices
A casino environment has several high-touch points which include ATMs, slot machines, and kiosks. As part of its new preventive measures, the Encore will be cleaning devices on the gaming floor on an hourly basis. Staff members will clean or discard all gaming supplies like cards, dice, chips, and other items handled by the public and employees every four hours.
Encore will be cleaning devices on the gaming floor on an hourly basis
The facility’s restaurants will remain open unless the property is advised to shut down operations by the CDC. The casino has a director of health and food safety who will be working with the city health inspector to make sure the proper codes are followed.
Other coronavirus measures in the US
Measures against the spread of coronavirus are also being rolled out elsewhere in the US. In Las Vegas, casinos are concerned that the COVID-19 strain will lead to a significant drop in revenues. According to VSO News, gambling facilities in Sin City have increased the frequency of their cleaning and sanitizing practices. Hand sanitizer machines are installed throughout the premises for personal cleaning.
MGM Resorts International announced this week that it will be temporarily closing buffets at several casino resorts. Included in the closures are the ARIA, Bellagio, Mandalay Bay, and Luxor properties. The shutdown will begin on March 15.
Caesars Entertainment Corp. is also making changes to help curb the coronavirus outbreak. The casino operator appointed a senior management team that meets daily to decide on how to protect employees and guests. It has also brought in more cleaning and disinfectant supplies. Like the Encore Boston Harbor, Caesars will be cleaning high-touch public areas more often. These include bars, restaurants, public restrooms, casino floors, hotel rooms, and elevators.