US Casinos Enforce Mask Mandates Again As New Wave Of COVID-19 Hits

Summary

• New wave of COVID-19 causing trouble in America
• U.S Casino operators call for mask mandates
• Michigan and New York operators first to enforce mask mandates

The United States is experiencing yet another outbreak of COVID-19 and media reports suggest that the new wave could be serious. As many as 15 states have reported that their intensive care unit (ICU) beds are being utilized a lot more than 12 months earlier.

Michigan, Colorado and Minnesota are just some of the states that are battling the new COVID-19 wave.

Casino Operators Under Pressure Again

U.S casino operators are just coming out of the effects of the massive lockdown and were looking forward to getting back to business as usual. The new COVID-19 wave does not sound good for land based casino operators as state governments have shown in the past that their first tendency is to lockdown public gatherings and land based casinos fall into category.

Casino operators throughout the U.S are currently following a stringent set of COVID-19 regulations but most of these protocols are voluntarily and not mandatory. Given the current COVID-19 climate, a number of casino operators are being proactive and looking to enforce the wearing of masks going forward.

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New York and Michigan Casinos Push For Masks

Seneca Gaming announced that it would make it mandatory for all patrons to wear masks at their New York casinos. The tribal gaming operator confirmed that from Nov 23 anyone entering their casinos would be asked to wear a mask, irrespective of whether they were vaccinated or not.

The three casinos that will enforce this rule include Seneca Allegany Resort & Casino, Seneca Niagara Resort & Casino, and Seneca Buffalo Creek Casino. Seneca Gaming said they were forced to take this step given the increase in the number of COVID-19 cases in New York. The mask mandate will remain in place till further notice.

Three of the top casinos in Michigan have also issued a mandatory mask requirement for all patrons from Nov 23. MotorCity Casino Hotel, MGM Grand Detroit and Greektown Casino have confirmed that anyone entering their premises must do so wearing a mask. This decision comes after Michigan made a recommendation last week and asked residents to wear a mask.

Michigan casino operators said they decided to make mask wearing mandatory as they wanted to protect their patrons and prevent any COVID-19 outbreak at their premises.