First casinos reopening in the state
The Meadows Racetrack and Casino and Pittsburgh’s Rivers Casino have announced their intentions to welcome back guests on June 9.
Meadows and Rivers will be the first of the 12 casinos in Pennsylvania to reopen
Assuming the reopenings proceed as planned, Meadows and Rivers will be the first of the 12 casinos in Pennsylvania to reopen since the coronavirus pandemic shutdown started in mid-March.
Meadows general manager Tony Frabbiele said in a statement that the Washington County property is set open its doors at noon on Tuesday.
“We have been working closely with the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB), state and local leaders, and public health officials to finalize comprehensive reopening protocols and new health and safety precautions,” Frabbiele said.
Rivers Casino announced its reopening via Twitter:
Certain counties get the green light
A PGCB spokesperson confirmed that the casinos will be able to reopen because they are in Washington and Allegheny Counties, two of 16 counties to advance to phase green of the state’s reopening plan on Friday.
Lady Luck Casino Nemacolin in Fayette County is the one other casino in Pennsylvania that is located in one of the 16 green counties, but it has not given any indication regarding its plans to reopen yet. As per the state’s rules, entertainment facilities such as casinos, shopping malls, and theaters can only reopen at 50% capacity.
Health and safety protocols
Casinos received a 10-page set of protocols from the PGCB in May to walk them through the requirements for protecting employees and patrons.
Some of the measures include mandatory facemasks, personal contact limitations, and social distancing. Casinos must adhere to all of the protocols and guidance provided by the Pennsylvania Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control.
Slot machines and table games will be spread out or selectively shut down to ensure proper distancing. Poker rooms will not be in operation yet.
staff are being trained to recognize potential signs of illness
Anyone displaying coronavirus symptoms cannot walk onto the casino floor; staff are being trained to recognize potential signs of illness. Anyone who in the past two weeks has come into contact with a person who had COVID-19 will also be refused entry.
Every casino is required to have a pandemic safety officer whose job it is to report any employees presumed or confirmed to have the virus to the state health department and the PGCB.