MGM Resorts International is to reopen its Empire City Casino this month in adherence to a number of mandated restrictions outlined by Governor Andrew Cuomo.
Occupancy will be limited to 25 per cent capacity, with further restrictions including enforcement of face coverings except when eating or drinking, social distancing, additional staff to control occupancy, traffic flow and seating to avoid crowding, and enhanced cleaning and disinfection protocols.
Following closure earlier in the year due to the ongoing health crisis, hosted, invitation-only access will be available to certain MLife members ahead of September 21.
The group’s ‘Seven-Point Safety Plan’ will also be implemented at the property with the set of protocols including employee and guest screening and temperature checks, physical distancing, barriers installed in areas where distancing presents challenges, limited casino entrance points and increased and enhanced routine cleaning based on CDC guidance.
JUST ANNOUNCED: We are excited to share that Empire City Casino will reopen its doors on Monday, September 21 at 10 a.m. ET. We look forward to welcoming you back, safely.
Plan your visit: https://t.co/w44qBy1LBC pic.twitter.com/d8l2mM3kjz
— Empire City Casino (@EmpireCCasino) September 9, 2020
“This has been an unimaginably difficult and challenging time, and as we reopen our doors and welcome back team members and guests, we owe our gratitude to all healthcare and essential workers and those providing resources to the community,” said Bill Hornbuckle, CEO and president of MGM Resorts.
“It’s been several months since we were forced to close, so it is with strong emotion that we welcome our team members back to work. Health and safety remain our first priority, and our commitment to New York has never been stronger.”
During the temporary closure, Empire City asserts that it remained focused on supporting the community, and continued with a series of donations.
The property donated 25,000 pounds of food, equivalent to 20,000 meals, to Caritas of Port Chester. A donation by MGM Resorts of $150,000 to New York’s Health Research was designated for first responders and essential workers to provide $5,000 grants to qualifying households. The money will provide reimbursement for expenses such as health care bills, childcare, lodging, transportation, PPE and more.
MGM Resorts also donated $25,000 to the Bronx Community Relief Effort to provide meals to Bronx residents in need, as well as grants to small businesses, allowing them to bring some of their employees back to work; $25,000 to the World Central Kitchen to continue the work with Nourish New York to help provide fresh produce and daily meals through more than 60 locations located throughout the Bronx; and $25,000 to Feeding Westchester to provide food to residents in Yonkers and Mt. Vernon.
