Health

Encore to close hotel temporarily, reduce casino hours starting Friday

EVERETT, Mass. — Encore Boston Harbor will be temporarily closing its hotel and reducing its casino hours come Friday.

According to Rosie Salisbury, a Public Relations Director for Encore, the hotel will be closed until at least December 15, and the casino will close between 9 p.m. and 9 a.m., every day of the week.

Encore provided the following statement:

“Encore Boston Harbor supports and will adhere to the additional directives put forth by the Commonwealth aimed to reduce the ongoing risk to public health. As a result, we are analyzing the impacts of the directives on our resort operations and will adjust accordingly to be in compliance.”

The sudden changes come days after Governor Charlie Baker rolled out several new executive orders in an attempt to prevent a second surge of coronavirus across the state.

>> Statewide stay at home advisory among new changes implemented by Gov. Baker in effort to curb COVID-19 spike

Beginning Friday at 10 p.m., a stay-at-home advisory will go into effect while many businesses, including casinos, will have to close by 9:30 p.m.

Michael McLaughlin, a city councilor in Everett told Boston 25 News that he believes the livelihoods of Encore employees are on the line.

“I am concerned by these new measures and protocols that the Governor has put into place,” he said. “These individuals need these jobs. Encore employs thousands of people. We’re just starting to see them be able to get people back to work that were furloughed and laid off, and now we’re going to take a step back.”

Boston 25 spoke to several employees off-camera as well who echoed those concerns, saying their hours had already shifted as a result.

>> New MA COVID-19 regulations go into effect Friday

One employee said the change in hours was greatly impacting overnight staff, making it difficult for some people to go to their second jobs on time.

Another employee said she is worried about another round of layoffs and furloughs, adding that staff is anxious to see if a second surge will close the complex altogether.

While the city of Everett remains in the “red zone,” McLaughlin said employees at Encore are following all safety protocols well and not contributing to increasing case numbers.

He said he hoped Governor Baker would reconsider the new restrictions.

“I directly plead with the Governor tonight that he come to Everett and to meet with me as the district councilor, to walk through this facility, and to be able to see the protocols and procedures in place, so that he can feel as safe as I do,” he said.

According to Salisbury, retail outlets, the spa, and restaurants will remain open but do have different operating hours.

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