Caesars Entertainment and MGM Resorts have both introduced new measures which will require all casino patrons and staff to wear masks at all times while inside the property.
MGM had previously required all employees to wear masks, while guest and visitor mask requirements were based on local regulations, while Caesars stated that employees and guests at table games were to abide by the measures.
Caesars has specified that anyone refusing to comply with the new measures ‘after being asked’ will be directed to leave the property.
“We promised that Caesars would continue to evaluate the latest recommendations, directives and medical science regarding the COVID-19 public health emergency and modify our enhanced health and safety protocols accordingly,” said Tony Rodio, CEO of Caesars Entertainment.
“As a result, we are immediately requiring everyone in our properties to wear masks, because the scientific evidence strongly suggests that wearing masks and practising social distancing may be the most important deterrents to spreading COVID-19 from person to person.”
The universal mask requirement will apply to all of Caesars’ businesses currently open in Louisiana, Mississippi, Iowa, Missouri, Nevada, and Indiana, as well as tribal properties in Arizona, California and North Carolina. The ruling will also apply to additional Caesars properties as they reopen in Maryland, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Illinois and Ontario.
MGM has outlined a ‘seven-point safety plan’ which lists a series of protocols and procedures to limit the spread of the virus. Designed in collaboration with medical and scientific experts, measures include employee screening and COVID-19 training, a physical distancing policy, enhanced cleaning measures as well as minimizing crowds at restaurants through text notifications.
MGM Resorts released the following statement: “As part of our work to continually update and evolve our health and safety policies, we are now requiring masks for all guests and visitors inside public spaces. This will apply to all MGM Resorts properties across the United States and will become effective by Friday.
“If a guest is in need of a mask, we will provide one. We hope that our guests will do their part to help the collective efforts to curtail the spread of the virus. Guests who do not wish to comply will be asked to leave the property.
“It is clear that the coronavirus still presents a significant public health threat, and masks have proven to be one of the best ways to curtail the spread. We want guests and employees to feel comfortable that we are putting their health and safety first.”
