The government of Alberta, Canada is mulling whether it’s time to trigger Phase 3 of its economic reopening plan, which would allow casinos to reopen after being closed for three months.
In British Columbia, by contrast, a year after closing, casinos operated by the B.C. Lottery Corp. (BCLC) still see no light at the end of the tunnel, although they’re ready to go if they get the green light this year.
Casinos in Manitoba, Canada are among the businesses that would be reopened on a limited basis if the provincial government further loosens Covid-19 restrictions.
And Ontario’s casinos such as the Caesars Windsor are anxiously awaiting word from the provincial government that they can reopen after having been closed for a year. Casinos there closed March 16, 2020 and only briefly opened again in October and November.
Vik Mahajan, CEO of River Cree Casino in Alberta said, “Every business is open in some capacity or the other, with some restrictions. We are the only industry that’s 100 percent closed right now. It’s tough for us. I was very surprised to see us put in Step 3, with all the protocols and all the investments that we’ve done to make the space or all of the casinos safe.”
He said the casino asks patrons to leave if they don’t comply with its mask policy, and maintains sanitation stations and barriers between players and dealers and each other.
Mahajan continued, “The government’s always been about lives and livelihoods. There’s a lot of livelihoods that are at stake here too so I’m really hopeful and I urge and request the government to let us open.”
BCLC Interim CEO Lynda Cavanaugh told NL News that the group’s casinos are working closely with the BC government but doesn’t have an official opening date. “We provided what is a very robust health and safety protocol plan, to both the provincial health office and WorkSafeBC, quite some time ago,” she said. “And since then, we’ve continued dialogue towards (reopening). Our casinos are set up now for reopening… And we’ve been optimistic all through this past year that that might happen sooner rather than later. But regardless, whenever that does happen, we’re ready.”
Casinos will be equipped with clear plastic dividers at tables and slots, which will be socially distanced. Sanitation stations will be abundant, employees will constantly sanitize and masks for all will be enforced.
Manitoba Premier Brian Pallister said in a statement: “Thanks to Manitobans’ efforts we are once again in a position to consider loosening additional restrictions as we learn to live this virus.”
In Ontario, David Cassidy, president of Unifor Local 444, which represents 2,200 casino workers, said, “We need these restrictions to be opened up, we have a great plan in place at Caesars. And you know, it’s devastating for the people.”
Most laid-off casino workers still have benefits, although some have accepted early retirement and others are looking at other careers.
Scott Jenkins, director of advertising and public relations with Caesars, would not speculate on how much longer the casino will have to wait to reopen. He said, “We have implemented health and safety protocols and are ready to welcome back our employees and guests as soon as it is financially feasible.”
When the casino reopens, it won’t be all at once. The orange zone would mandate a 50-person capacity, without table games and no alcohol sales after 9 p.m.
Health officials say Covid-19 cases are decreasing but not enough to push the province into the orange zone.
Without no restrictions, the Caesars Windsor accommodates 10,000 patrons. The union rep argues that casinos should be allowed as much as 30 percent capacity because they are so spacious. “I think that’s what should be done. And I invite the chief medical officer for Ontario, David Williams, down to see our plan,” he said.
