When Will Encore Boston Casino Reopen For Business?

One Massachusetts casino has revealed the measures it will implement upon reopening, as casinos nationwide face the challenges posed by COVID-19 and navigate its immediate future.

Encore Boston has disclosed the measures it plans to implement in order to safeguard its employees and visitors from the potential dangers posed by the coronavirus. The casino will remain closed until at least June 1.

Relying on ‘the best available science’

Last week, Encore Boston, a subsidiary of Wynn Resorts, unveiled a comprehensive “health & sanitation program” in collaboration with esteemed public health medical professionals and officials from Georgetown and Johns Hopkins universities.

Wynn Resorts CEO Matt Maddox wrote in the plan that it outlines our approach to ensuring the safety of our guests, employees, and the community. The plan is based on the latest scientific research on sanitization methods and has been developed in collaboration with renowned infectious disease experts from top academic institutions in the country.

As our experts continue to offer us guidance, we will persistently improve and revise the plan.

Maddox emphasized the importance of the company’s on-site testing facility and urged state and local officials to collaborate. He advocated for an economy to reopen as soon as it can be done safely and for testing velocity to be ramped up.

Thermal cameras, social distancing and PPE

In order to prioritize the safety of both customers and staff, Encore Boston has implemented several measures, one of which involves restricted entrances equipped with thermal cameras. Individuals exhibiting a temperature exceeding 100.4 degrees will be escorted to a designated private area for a secondary temperature screening.

If their temperature remains higher than the cutoff point, they will be denied entry and instructed to seek medical assistance instead.

In order to promote social distancing in the typically crowded casino environment, various measures will be implemented. These include the rearrangement of restaurant tables, slot machines, and table games to create more space. Additionally, the installation of plexiglass barrier shields will further enhance the safety measures.

Additional methods being implemented comprise intermittent hand sanitizer stations, informative signage, employee training on COVID-19, provision of suitable personal protective equipment (PPE) for all staff, and even sanitizing elevator buttons.

Wynn sites are implementing a comprehensive strategy in hopes of luring back a possibly reluctant audience of casino-goers.

Maddox acknowledged the potential for Wynn casinos to face closure once more if a second wave of virus infections occurs, but he also supported the idea of kickstarting the economy initially.

He acknowledged that reopening gradually could necessitate a retreat in case there is a surge in cases that endangers the capacity of the healthcare system.

Nevertheless, we must commence promptly as the sole method to traverse this river is by stepping on one stone at a time.

Two months of closure

According to CBS Boston, nearly two months after Encore Boston, MGM Springfield, and Plainridge Park Casino closed on March 15, the casino’s plan for reopening has finally surfaced. It was previously reported that during the closure, the casinos would undergo an extensive cleaning process.

Everett City Councilor Michael McLaughlin expressed concerns about the influx of tens of thousands of people daily amidst the current crisis, stating that it is not feasible to continue allowing people to enter this facility.

Preserving the safety of everyone is of utmost importance, and I don’t believe it can be quantified in terms of monetary value.

In his comments on Monday, Maddox highlighted that Wynn Resorts had initially chosen to compensate its 15,000 North American employees, including estimated tips, until May 15. However, they have now decided to extend this plan until May 31.

According to the company’s estimation, the approach carries a cost of $3 million per day, resulting in a total expenditure of $220 million by the conclusion of May.