DETROIT (WXYZ) — The guidelines Detroit's three casinos must follow for reopening next week are strict and detailed, including the disinfecting of dice after each shooter.
MGM Grand Detroit to reopen in limited capacity Aug. 7
Governor Gretchen Whitmer has given the green light for MotorCity Casino Hotel, MGM Grand Detroit, and Greektown Casino-Hotel to open back up for business beginning Wednesday, August 5.
MotorCity and Greektown are expected to open Wednesday. MGM announced Thursday that they will reopen two days later on Friday.
Under the governor's orders, the casinos will be limited to 15-percent capacity. They must conduct temperature checks on customers and employees, and they must require customers to wear a face covering except while eating, drinking, or for purposes of identification.
The Michigan Gaming Control Board has laid out a long list of guidelines for Detroit casinos that include the frequent disinfecting of objects touched a lot by the public, including ATMs, counters, door handles, elevator panels and buttons, restrooms, dining tables, chairs, table rails, and light switches.
“We appreciate the Governor’s decision to provide an opening date for Detroit casinos of August 5. We have invested considerable time and effort to prepare MotorCity Casino Hotel for an opening with our highest priority being the health and safety of our employees and guests," said MotorCity Casino Hotel President Bruce Dall in a statement to 7 Action News Thursday. "Our protocols will include: mandatory mask-wearing; allowing for proper social distancing by shutting down every other slot machine and removing seating at table games; temperature checks of all guests and staff as they enter the complex; no smoking; and, enhanced cleaning and disinfecting procedures. Most importantly, this decision allows us to bring back many employees, providing critical employment and health benefits. We look forward to safely welcoming our staff and guests back to MotorCity Casino.”
As part of MGM's reopening plan, they say air quality has always been a high priority and they have reviewed the operation of their HVAC systems to "enhance their effectiveness." As part of what they call their "7-Point Safety Plan," MGM says, "Rigorous measures in accordance with the established guidelines to help mitigate the risk of virus transmission have been taken throughout our properties."
And if they receive word of a suspected COVID case involving a hotel guest, MGM says their security team will immediately secure the room so that no one can enter until that case is confirmed for coronavirus.
"If confirmed, security will notify hotel operations leadership, who will then coordinate a contracted cleaning team to respond and deep clean the guestroom per established protocols. No person shall enter the guestroom until the contracted team arrives, absent emergency," according to MGM. "Once the cleaning vendor has completed treatment of the room, the room remains out of service for 48 hours."
In a statement to 7 Action News, John Drake, Vice President and General Manager of Greektown Casino Hotel, says they are thrilled as they expect to reopen Wednesday.
"We look forward to sharing details of our property-specific procedures in advance of reopening and welcoming back team members and our customers," he said.
