Reopening of Resorts World Casino puts
southeast Queens employees back to work
BY BILL PARRY
A Queens lawmaker is expressing
gratitude toward Gov.
Andrew Cuomo for allowing
many of his southeast Queens
constituents to get back to work
with the reopening of Resorts
World Casino New York City in
Jamaica.
The economic engine at Aqueduct
Raceway was given the
green light to open its doors
to the public on Sept. 9 for the
first time since the COVID-19
shutdown forced it to close on
March 16.
“This will result in many
of the furloughed casino workers
returning to their jobs and
providing for their families
while permitting our residents
to visit these gaming sites to
safely enjoy the amenities during
these difficult times,” state
Senator Joseph Addabbo said.
“The reopening of the casinos
will also be an economic generator
for revenue and educational
funding during these
difficult times.”
While it is unclear how many
of the nearly 1,000 furloughed
employees will be back on the
job when Resorts World reopens
at 10 a.m., the casino will be required
to cap their maximum
capacity at 25 percent until further
notice from the state.
“While this is a productive
first step, I am hopeful that
further guidelines and metrics
will be put in place, where we
can reexamine the status of the
casino operations and COVID
rates, possibly every two weeks,
which would provide information
and guidance towards the
decisions on allowing additional
aspects of the casino to reopen.
I look forward to seeing how
we progress from here,” state
Senator Joseph Addabbo said.
Genting Americas East, the
company that operates Resorts
World, will be subject to strict
safety protocols, including strict
enforcement of face coverings
except when eating or drinking,
social distancing, additional
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TIMESLEDGER | QNS.4 COM | SEPT. 11-SEPT. 17, 2020
staff to control occupancy, traffic
flow, and seating to avoid
crowding, and enhanced cleaning
and disinfection protocols.
The casino must also have enhanced
air filtration and purification
standards in place,
according to the state.
“We have implemented a
plan to seamlessly integrate
the unmatched experience in
excitement, entertainment, and
luxury that guests have come
to expect, with more stringent
health protocols that are needed
to operate safely,” Genting
Americas East President Bob
DeSalvio said. “We are excited
to play our part in Moving New
York Forward.”
Additionally, the casino must
leave six feet of distance between
operating machines and
no beverage or food service will
be allowed on the gaming floor.
The State Gaming Commission
will be deployed to monitor and
ensure strict enforcement of
these measures.
“While the casino floor may
look a little different, all of these
changes are part of our 21-point
plan, created with your health
and safety in mind,” Resorts
World Casino New York City
President Scott Molina said.
“Regulating capacity on the casino
floor will allow for easier
social distancing, and sanitation
stations will make it easier
for you to wipe down table
games and other common areas
before touching them. Once we
are back open, we will constantly
be evaluating the situation in
order to gauge when we can return
our full suite of amenities
to our valued guests.”
Resorts World Casino in Jamaica will reopen for the first
time since the COVID-19 shutdown in March. Photo: Ellison Bronze
Photography
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