EVERETT, Mass. — On Thursday, reporters were given a tour of changes at the Encore Boston Harbor as the resort prepares to reopen at week’s end.
Wednesday, Plainridge Park opened its doors to guests, and Monday, the MGM Springfield plans to do the same.
All of these casinos are working under new health guidelines with COVID-19 in mind. Among the differences patrons will notice, their temperatures will be checked at the front, and questions about how they are feeling and if they have been in contact with others with the coronavirus will be asked.
Hundreds of additional sanitizing stations are now standing throughout the casino. Every staff member as well as guests will be wearing facial coverings.
Then, customers will see plexiglass at the front desk. Some restaurants will be closed, and Rare Steakhouse will use a contact-free menu. Customers will need to scan the QR code given to them with smartphones to view menus.
“(We’re) trying to figure out what the ‘normal’ is going to be and making sure we can balance fun and safety,” said Brian Gullbrants, President of Encore Boston Harbor.
On the casino floor, visitors will notice plexiglass dividers between dealers and blackjack players. Some chairs have also been removed so there are just three at each of the blackjack tables.
Staff members will be reminding people to keep social distance throughout the building, according to managers.
Cards will be replaced regularly and casino chips are being cleaned more often, casino managers said.
The casino is also planning to limit capacity at the gate to prevent overcrowding inside.
Gullbrants says Encore developed a 24-page plan for its reopening and expects the casino to be safe for customers.
“I would say that we have an incredible plan that everybody has been trained and certified on we have hundreds and hundreds of sanitizer dispensers and wipe stations we’ve put plexiglass up to really improve the protection between you and your fellow patron and employees,” said Gullbrants.
Encore furloughed 3,000 employees during the pandemic and recently recalled 1,700 of them for training and to prepare to reopen the casino, according to a spokesman.
Plainridge Park Casino’s reopening plan can be found here.
MGM Springfield’s plan can be viewed here.
Download the free Boston 25 News app for up-to-the-minute push alerts
>> Complete local and national coronavirus coverage here
RESOURCES:
- Massachusetts Coronavirus Information
- Boston Coronavirus Information
- Follow us on Facebook and Twitter | Watch Boston 25 NOW