1. Pa Casinos Closed From Virus Protection
2. Casino Virus Closings
3. Oklahoma Casinos Virus
4. Virus In Louisiana Casino

Casino workers in Pennsylvania are testing positive for the coronavirus, and the state is refusing to release specific details about the number of cases at each gaming hall.

Forty positive cases were reported between early June and Aug. 9, according to the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board.

Amid growing concern about the coronavirus pandemic, Pennsylvania’s casino properties have been rethinking their strategy. As a result, four out of 12 available properties in the Keystone State have closed – three in Philadelphia and one in Pittsburg. Specifically, Harrah’s Philadelphia in Delaware County and Valley Forge in Montgomery County have decided to suspend all. Pennsylvania Casinos That Are Closing Due to the Coronavirus Harrah’s Philadelphia in Delaware County Harrah’s Philadelphia has released a statement saying that in accordance with Governor Tom Wolf’s order to close public facilities, Harrah’s Philadelphia will voluntarily close its doors effective 6AM March 14th.

• The COVID-19 pandemic closed all commercial and tribal casino properties in the United States. This map tracks reopening across the country at the property-level. A property is considered open based on gambling availability. Please contact an individual property to determine what amenities are available. Current Status: 82 Closed 915 Open.
• Wind Creek Bethlehem, a major Lehigh Valley employer and tourist destination, is closing for two weeks, the latest Pennsylvania casino to temporarily suspend operations amid the coronavirus crisis.
• Four of Pennsylvania’s 12 casinos - three in or around Philadelphia and one in Pittsburgh - have closed temporarily over concerns about the coronavirus. Harrah’s Philadelphia in Delaware County.

Pennsylvania’s 12 licensed casinos and racetracks employ more than 16,000 people, making them some of the largest employers in the state. Individual gaming halls were approved for reopening in early June after submitting plans designed to prevent infection among customers and employees

On Aug. 5, this news organization contacted the state, seeking the number of workers who tested positive at each gaming hall and the timeline of reported cases. None of the requested information would identify specific employees.

Responding Aug. 13, the gaming control board said it wouldn’t release such information, citing “employee confidentiality.”

More: Costly COVID-19 mistakes: Pennsylvania nursing homes in midst of second wave of COVID-19

More: Replay: Wolf to issue steps to reduce COVID-19 health disparities, fight racism in Pa.

Right to know requests were later filed with gaming board. Those requests seek aggregate data relating to the coronavirus cases at each casino property and devoid of any details that would identify specific workers.

State regulations require the licensed gaming halls to immediately notify Pennsylvania when a worker tests positive. The casinos all are following proper protocols, said Doug Harbach, communications director for the board.

“In each case, the casino’s pandemic officer reports the matter to the PGCB and the Department of Health the day the employee contacts their employer, the respective casino, to notify their employer that they were tested and the test was presumptively positive,” Harbach said. “Steps are immediately taken to follow appropriate protocols per the (state) Department of Health and CDC including for sanitization and contact tracing conducted through Health officials.'

Employees may not return to work until they receive a negative test result and are determined to have recovered from the virus, Harbach added.

In the past, Pennsylvania has released data about workers at specific companies who tested positive for coronavirus. On the state Department of Health website, records identify specific assisted living and personal care homes by name and the numbers of employees who tested positive at each facility.

In Las Vegas, a union representing some 65,000 casino workers has sued some gaming halls over an alleged failure to protect employees. At least one worker, a porter at the Las Vegas’ Caesars Palace, died from the virus in late June.

This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: State: 40 Pa. casino workers test positive for COVID

As the recent coronavirus outbreak continues to spread across the globe, the United States is beginning to feel the pinch. A number of changes have already been implemented in a bid to deal with the issue. In Pennsylvania, one of the ways that are being used to combat the spread of the virus is the closure of certain non-essential spaces. These spaces include large gatherings or recreational activities such as movie theaters, gyms as well as shopping malls.

As of this writing, four of the Keystone States have stopped their operations temporarily alongside several other businesses. This temporary closure is being implemented in order to prevent the possibility of further spread of the coronavirus. In addition to that, the state’s residents have also been warned against non-essential travel within certain counties.

Valley Forge Casino and Harrah’s Philadelphia have ceased their operations until further notice due to the virus. Information about potential reopening dates will be made available once everything cools down and the spread of the virus has been contained.

Rivers Casino Philadelphia, on the other hand, has chosen to voluntarily close its business for a total of 14 days beginning midnight on Sunday. The same goes for Rivers Casino in Pittsburgh. Pittsburgh, in particular, was already on the spot after its mayor, Bill Peduto, declared a state of emergency on Friday. This restricted any gathering that involves more than 250 people.

Pa Casinos Closed From Virus Protection

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Casino Virus Closings

Various health centers across the United States have already set up both advisory and screening hotlines where residents will be able to find assistance. In addition to that, there are dozens of testing centers spread across the state.

Speaking on the matter, Richard McGarvey who is the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board’s spokesperson said that everyone in the state should adhere to the guidelines that have been outlined by the state’s department of health. He went on to comment on the casinos that are closing down voluntarily for playing their part in the fight to control the spread of the virus. Seems like online gaming is the way to go now.

“As the situation changes and as the governor and the Health Department come out with ‘Here’s what needs to be happening,’ the casinos so far I think have been open to that and doing those requirements.”

Oklahoma Casinos Virus

Thankfully, Dozens of casinos in the United States have been taking the necessary steps just like in Pennsylvania. For instance, Las Vegas’ MGM and Wynn Resorts properties have shut down their operations. On a similar note, Hard Rock, which is widely known for its live entertainment offerings, has canceled all those events. These include concerts as well as nightclub entertainment.

Virus In Louisiana Casino

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