Casinos gearing up to reopen July 9
Social distancing will change experience, with numbers limited, card tables closed
In a week’s time, people will be allowed to walk through the doors of Saskatchewan’s casinos again, but when they do, the experience will likely be quite different from what they remember.
Card tables will remain closed. The number of people allowed in will be limited by the size of the space and how well people can maintain physical distancing. The directional arrows that have become familiar sites on the floors of retail stores will once again tell you where to walk. People will be discouraged from watching other games to ensure the proper physical distancing.
Zane Hansen, president and CEO of the Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority (SIGA), which operates seven of the province’s nine casinos, said masks will be required for staff and guests alike.
Guests will be asked a series of questions when they enter the building, in order to check if they are sick.
On Tuesday, the provincial government announced casinos and bingo halls will be allowed to open July 9.
It also updated its reopening plan to include guidelines on what that reopening should look like.
Hansen said he was “very pleased” when the government announced casinos would soon be able to open their doors again, but said the enthusiasm to reopen has been coupled with a lot of caution and preparation.
“We’ve put a lot of procedures in place to be as safe as possible, and we’re ready for it,” he said.
While their live table games are shut down, Hansen said SIGA is introducing electronic versions that have separate terminals for people to sit in.
SIGA casinos will also have
“contact tracing capabilities” to help public health officials in case someone with COVID-19 does enter their facilities. Members of their loyalty program will swipe their player’s card when they enter, while others will simply jot down their name and phone number.
“We will know everybody coming through our facilities, what times they were there, and have that information ready and available,” Hansen said.
Cleaning of all the VLT and slot machines and other high-touch surfaces will be increased. Hansen said training staff in all the new procedures and health guidelines has already started.
“It’s much like what we’ve had to adjust to I think in public over the last two, three months of hand washing, sanitation programs, keeping your distance, wearing masks where needed,” he said.
We will know everybody coming through our facilities, what times they were there, and have that information ready and available.