40 THE QUEENS COURIER • QUEENS BUSINESS • SEPTEMBER 10, 2020 FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT WWW.QNS.COM
queens business
Reopening of Resorts World Casino puts
southeast Queens employees back to work
BY BILL PARRY
bparry@schnepsmedia.com
@QNS
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.
Th e economic engine at Aqueduct
Raceway was given the green light to open
its doors to the public on Sept. 9 for the
fi rst time since the COVID-19 shutdown
forced it to close on March 16.
“Th is 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 diffi cult times,” state Senator
Joseph Addabbo said. “Th e reopening of
the casinos will also be an economic generator
for revenue and educational funding
during these diffi cult 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 fi rst 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 staff to control
occupancy, traffi c fl ow and seating to
avoid crowding; and enhanced cleaning
and disinfection protocols. Th e casino
must also have enhanced air fi ltration and
purifi cation 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 fl oor.
Th e State Gaming Commission will be
deployed to monitor and ensure strict
enforcement of these measures.
“While the casino fl oor may look a little
diff erent, 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 fl oor 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.”
New Investors Bank branch brings high-speed banking to Forest Hills
BY BILL PARRY
bparry@schnepsmedia.com
@QNS
Speed banking has arrived in Forest
Hills. Investors Bank has opened an innovative
branch at 108-01 Queens Blvd. that
updates the personal and business banking
experience, giving clients the ability
to rapidly access an ATM, service their
account, or meet with a universal banker
for help.
Assisting customers from convenient
banking pods, the universal bankers use
computer tablets to deliver a wide range
of services.
Clients who open a new YourStyle
Plus Checking accountant the Forest
Hills branch may earn up to $350 and
the account comes with no-cost mobile
phone protection, credit monitoring, and
identity theft protection as well as mobile
couponing.
“Our Forest Hills branch represents the
fi rst in a series of branches that will
change the way we serve our clients,”
Investors Bank Chairman and CEO Kevin
Cummings said. “Th e branch’s technology
and systems seamlessly merge our more
traditional banking services with our full
suite of online banking tools and mobile
apps, which helps us meet the needs of the
Forest Hills community.”
Th e branch is also supported by a team
of specialists in mortgages and wealth
management as well as business banking.
“We believe in the community of Forest
Hills, and moving forward with opening
a new branch during this unprecedented
time makes that clear,” Cummings said.
“Like all Investors branches, we are following
CDC guidelines for masks and
face coverings, enhanced cleaning as well
as physical distancing, and you can make
an appointment on our website.”
Forest Hills branch manager Maria
Gambino was born and raised in Queens,
graduated from St. John’s University, and
lives nearby. While managing a neighborhood
bank branch for the last six years
for an international bank, Gambino built
relationships with small businesses.
She was also an active member of the
local chamber of commerce. Starting her
banking career right out of college, she
has held nearly every position in-branch
banking, an experience that is critical to
coaching her team on client service, sales,
relationship building and how best to
serve the community.
“Living in Queens all my life has given
me unique insight into the needs of the
local community,” Gambino said. “And
I’m looking forward to serving all of
Forest Hills at Investors Bank.”
Each time a new client opens an account
Investors Bank branch in Forest Hils is promising a new business and consumer banking experience
in Forest Hills.
at Investors’ Forest Hills branch, the bank
will donate $25 to one of two local notfor
profi ts. New account holders may
have a donation made in their name to
either Catholic Charities of Brooklyn and
Queens or the Child Center of New York,
Courtesy Investors Bank
which is based in Forest Hills.
Th e Forest Hills branch is Investors’
most recent location in Queens and the
bank’s 48th branch in New York City. For
more information contact branch manager
Gambino at 347-997-3860.
Photo: Ellison Bronze Photography
Resorts World Casino in Jamaica has reopened for the fi rst time since the COVID-19 shutdown in March.
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