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MGM Springfield Ready To Reopen With COVID-19 Safety Measures In Place

Slot machines at the MGM Casino in Springfield, Massachusetts, with one shut down to promote social distancing on July 9, 2020.
Alden Bourne
/
NEPM
Slot machines at the MGM Casino in Springfield, Massachusetts, with one shut down to promote social distancing on July 9, 2020.

The MGM Casino in Springfield, Massachusetts, says it’s ready to re-open and will strictly enforce the wearing of masks.

The casino shut down in March because of COVID-19.

On Friday, it will welcome back its VIP customers, and on Monday, the general public. They will see new plexiglas dividers at gambling tables, fewer slot machines operating, and new hand-washing stations.

MGM vice president Seth Stratton said the casino will also make sure gamblers are wearing masks and it knows how to handle anyone who isn’t.

“We, as a hospitality company, are very used to de-escalating, having dialogues with our customers, and if they’re non-compliant, eventually they end up leaving the property," he said. 

Stratton said there's an exception on mask-wearing while people are dining in the casino's restaurants.

They’re also allowed to lower their masks to take a sip of a drink while seated at a table game or slot machine. Stratton said MGM will be operating at about one-third of its capacity.

Before joining New England Public Media, Alden was a producer for the CBS NEWS program 60 Minutes. In that role, he covered topics ranging from art, music and medicine to business, education and politics.
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