In addition, Murphy said, effective immediately, outdoor gatherings may now increase from 100 to 250 persons maximum and indoor gatherings are limited to 25% capacity, without exceeding 100 persons. He added in the Twitter thread that New Jersey is one of only four states on track to “contain #COVID19.”
Murphy said New Jersey casino patrons will have to abide by a requirement that is not being used at every casino that has reopened thus far: All guests and employees will have to wear face masks and undergo some level of health screening.
“If any visitor refuses to comply with these simple safeguards, you will be escorted out of the casino,” the governor said. “We are not going to tolerate any knuckleheads trying to ruin it for those who want to enjoy themselves responsibly and those who need to get back to work, especially if those knuckleheads could be spreading COVID.”
The governor said additional safety and health guidelines will be released in the coming days for casinos and restaurants.
The city's nine casinos have been waiting for a reopening date for weeks, even as casinos in other states reopened. Earlier this month, two prominent Atlantic City gaming venues got ahead of the game and announced that they already had reopening plans and new safety protocols in place.
Resort Casino Hotel developed a “Play Safe, Work Safe” plan that includes a “significant capital investment to improve air quality.” In addition, casino and hotel elevators will be limited to a maximum occupancy of four people, employees will be required to wear masks, only every other slot machine will be available for play and there will be limited seating at all table games.
Another casino on the famed Boardwalk, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino - Atlantic City, revealed a “Safe + Sound” reopening plan, including the requirement “for all to wear masks and have their temperature scanned with thermal imaging technology before entering the property.”
Additionally, the new resort will have “increased quality of air circulation and “appropriate social distancing requirements in gaming and non-gaming areas” that will include over 750 signs posted throughout the complex and more than 200 hand sanitizer dispensers placed in all “high-traffic, high-visibility areas such as key guest and team member entrances and contact areas.”
"Hard Rock and Seminole Gaming have made a tremendous commitment to sanitary protocols and a safety-first mentality for both guests and team members," said Jim Allen, CEO of Seminole Gaming and Chairman of Hard Rock International. "We are making sure our resorts are safe and sound so our guests and team members have peace of mind when they return."
Source: GMB
