Indiana Casinos To Enforce Additional Measures Against Covid-19
Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb published today an executive order to tighten measures against the spread of Covid-19. Casinos must adjust to the new requirements, which include social distancing and signage.
New Protocols Set For 30 Days
As the number of positive coronavirus cases is skyrocketing in Indiana, casinos will not close for a second time but will follow guidelines from the Governor’s Executive Order from November 15.
In his latest Executive Order signed on Friday, Governor Eric Holcomb stated a number of requirements against the spread of Covid-19, for the period from November 15 to December 12.
According to the Indiana Gaming Commission’s guidance, gambling facilities had to set up today a reserved space away from the gaming floors, for eating, drinking, and smoking.
All Hoosiers are now required to wear face coverings, to avoid spreading the virus. This, of course, includes every person in the casinos’ gaming areas, players, and staff.
The Governor has set new limitations on events and gatherings and mandated social distancing of minimum six feet. Gaming facilities also have to install visible signage for their public and staff entrances, as well as add space between furniture, counters, and gaming amenities.
Covid-19 Categorization Per County
The State’s Department of Health has established a color-coded map and system to control and measure weekly cases of Covid-19.
The four categories, blue, yellow, orange, and red, each represent increasing levels of contamination, with counties required to follow different or additional procedures. The current 50% capacity of casinos would be reduced by 15% if the casino county reaches the red designation.
Lake and LaPorte counties are currently both in the orange designation, just below red, which means “very high positivity and community spread”. In the event of a move from orange to red, every casino in the county will be required to adjust its protocols within 24 hours.
Positive Cases on The Rise in Indiana
On top of the Governor’s order, local authorities and casino administrations have the possibility to tighten protocols and add measures as they see fit.
While the State’s hospitals are reporting 210 new coronavirus patients per day, Governor Holcomb said the government is doing its best to minimize contamination across communities. Local governments will receive $20 million in funding to combat the impact of the pandemic.
“The number of hospitalized COVID patients is at an all-time high – 2,544 to be exact, and hospital officials tell us that in some instances, their patient numbers may double over the next several weeks.”
Governor Holcomb also called for every citizen to get tested for Covid-19, and for businesses and individuals to respect the social distancing and face-covering measures.
Mathilde has been writing for over 5 years, with 2 of those years as a specialist in the iGaming industry covering headlines across the world. With her honed research and reporting expertise, Mathilde has solidified her position as a regular author for GamblingNews. Outside of work, she enjoys studying sculpture which is one of her other strong passions.
5 Comments
Very unsafe for the employees who have to work in these rooms full of customers not wearing masks
I really think that you should close until we can get a handle on this virus……….or at least until they can come up with a vaccine…….. it should not always be about the money…….. for once but value on people instead of $$$$$$
Ameristar is the only casino that I ever visit……but I want to feel comfortable when I’m playing! Right now you can’t drink a cup of coffee/ or drink your favorite drink! while you are playing your favorite machine……Just my opinion……..
People need to be aware of their surroundings, if they wear a mask and stay the distance all should be fine. We all know the possible outcomes, and we are adults.
People who feel like they have just a slight head ache or think well maybe all feel better when I get to the casino wrong if you feel like that plz just stay home don’t take it with you don’t take a chance and ruin it for someone else these casinos will always be there they’ll always be waiting for you stay healthy stay safe where your mask at all times if I won a large jackpot I promise I would share it with you remember the pandemic come on everybody let’s have a great year let’s make safety are main priority . Thank You Laura S Chiles
So. . .let me understand this correctly. You can go sit in a designated area to eat, drink and smoke, without a mask, but you cannot drink or smoke while gaming and must wear a mask. I’m not the brightest star in the sky, but this is just about the most non common sense thing I’ve ever heard of. So I can go to the bar and drink and smoke with no mask (and spread the Covid there), but I cannot walk away from that area with a drink and must have a mask on. I am a believer in mask wearing, but the drink thing has me perplexed. I’ve been to Hollywood in Lawrenceburg IN and there’s definitely no “social distancing” in those “designated” areas – especially during peak times. Such a ridiculous non effective policy. . .I’ll take myself to the Ohio casinos.