Pa Casinos Closures

Casinos in Pennsylvania reportedly first began being ordered to shutter their operations from March 12 with the Valley Forge Casino and Resort in Montgomery County subsequently becoming one of the last to partially re-open from June 26. Mount Airy Casino in the Poconos will temporarily close at 6 a.m. On Tuesday due to concerns about the coronavirus, and five other gaming locations around the state will do so, as well.

COVID-19 cases in Pennsylvania are at record highs. On Nov. 13, the Pennsylvania Department of Health reported that there were 5,531 new positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 254,387. It is the fourth consecutive day that the state has reported a record number of cases.

Play Pennsylvania asked the PA Department of Health if the rising numbers meant a return to the color-coded phases and possible temporary closures for casinos in Pennsylvania.

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A representative responded:

'There is no plan at this time to return to the red, yellow, green mitigation steps and stay-at-home order that occurred in the spring.'

Some tips to slow the spread

The PA Department of Health reiterated that it was very concerned about the increase in cases. The representative said:

'We currently have protections in place, like wearing a mask and limits on large gatherings. Pennsylvanians can stop the spread. It is all of our responsibility to do the right thing. These are things that we can continue to do to stop the spread of COVID-19:

• Teleworking.
• Isolating or quarantining if you test positive or have exposure to someone who has.
• Businesses limiting capacity to 50%.'

More restrictions for Philadelphia?

Of the record number of cases reported on Friday, 1,158 were from Philadelphia. Mayor Jim Kenney's office did not provide any indication of what its 'changes in restrictions' might be and said they are still being finalized. Health Commissioner Dr. Thomas Farley earlier this week said all restrictions are being considered, even a complete lockdown, according to Yahoo! News.

Rivers Casino Philadelphia is currently the only casino within the city limits. Live! Casino Philadelphia is expected to open in early 2021.

Rivers Philadelphia closed in mid-March and reopened on July 17. It experienced the longest closure of all 12 casinos in the commonwealth.

We must do everything we can to stop the spread of COVID-19 in Philadelphia. Specific details are still being finalized, but we plan to announce changes to restrictions on Monday, November 16. https://t.co/fgAPsfbU3P

— Jim #MaskUpPHL Kenney (@PhillyMayor) November 13, 2020

Are Pa Casinos Closing Again

Health and safety protocols at PA casinos

Before you visit a casino in Pennsylvania, there are few things you should know. Your next visit will look different than your previous pre-coronavirus-closure casino excursion. Per the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB), all casinos in the state must follow COVID-19 Casino Reopening Protocols, which detail the minimum safety and health-related requirements that are mandatory before reopening.

Key points to remember are:

• Casinos can reopen at 50% capacity.
• Employees and guests must wear masks.
• There are markings on the floor to promote social distancing.
• Enhanced cleaning is required throughout the facility.

Eating, drinking and smoking at PA casinos

In addition to the increased health and safety measures, some staples of casino visits have been put on a temporary pause.

Alcohol can only be served when food is purchased. Drink service on the casino floor is prohibited.

These new rules went into effect well before the November record-breaking numbers.

Under the guidance of the Pennsylvania Department of Health and the PGCB, there is currently no smoking in Pennsylvania casinos either (effective July 3).

Gov. Tom Wolf and Health Secretary Dr. Rachel Levine signed orders that mandated restaurants can't serve alcohol for on-site consumption past 11 p.m. (effective Sept 21).

Hours of PA casinos

Casinos in Pennsylvania started to close in mid-March to slow the spread of coronavirus. They were closed for over 100 days before the first few started welcoming back guests in June. However, not all returned to around-the-clock operations.

Pa Casinos Closing Again

Casinos in PA open 24 hours:

• Parx
• Presque Isle
• Rivers Casino Philadelphia
• Rivers Casino Pittsburgh (starting Nov. 16)
• Mount Airy Casino
• Wind Creek Casino
• Mohegan Sun Pocono
• Harrah's Philadelphia

Hours of other casinos in PA

The Meadows:

• Sunday-Thursday, 8-4 a.m.
• Friday-Saturday, 8-5 a.m.

Valley Forge Casino :

• Monday-Thursday, 10-3 a.m. Open 24 hours, 10 a.m. Friday through 3 a.m. Monday.

Hollywood Casino:

• Closed daily from 4 to 8 a.m. for deep cleaning.

Lady Luck Nemacolin:

• Open 24 hours for slot gaming
• Table games hours:
  Monday-Friday, 3-12 a.m.
  Saturday and Sunday, 2 p.m.-12 a.m.

1% of casino employees test positive

The PGCB released figures last week that showed that fewer than 1% of casinos employees have tested positive for COVID-19 since the 12 brick-and-mortar locations opened in June. Rivers Pittsburgh had 28 cases and Parx had 25. A full breakdown can be found here.

Online casinos in PA

If you are 21+ and physically located in Pennsylvania, you don't even have to leave your home to play. There are now 11 online casinos in Pennsylvania. Things got even livelier this week as Caesars and FanDuellaunched online live dealer games.

Lead image credit: AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar

TL;DR: Pennsylvania officials are weighing a new ban on indoor dining and the closure of gyms and casinos, and a decision is likely within days, according to a source not authorized to speak publicly. Here are the current COVID-19 restrictions in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Philadelphia. And, how Bucks County's Health Department director David Damske has stood apart from, and sometimes at odds with, most health experts throughout the pandemic.

— Ellie Silverman (@esilverman11, health@inquirer.com)

What you need to know:

😷 Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf has tested positive for the coronavirus.

📈 Health officials in Philadelphia blame Thanksgiving gatherings for a renewed spike in COVID-19 cases.

🏥 Nursing homes and long-term care facilities are seeing significant spikes in Philadelphia and across Pennsylvania.

🚇 SEPTA is considering service cuts and layoffs as it predicts an operating budget shortfall of at least $622 million through the end of fiscal year 2023. SEPTA also will indefinitely close its trolley tunnel overnight beginning Monday.

🛍️ Nine months into the pandemic, 26 businesses — almost all locally owned — have shut down in Old City or relocated from the neighborhood, and 16 shops have opened.

🧁 Out of the coronavirus doldrums, a Queen Village middle-schooler created her own pastry business.

📚 Lower Merion high schools are going virtual as many students stay home.

📰 What's going on in your county or neighborhood? We organized recent coverage of the coronavirus pandemic by local counties and Philly neighborhoods mentioned in the stories to make it easier for you to find the info you care about.

Local coronavirus cases

📈The coronavirus has swept across the Philadelphia region and cases continue to mount. The Inquirer and Spotlight PA are compiling geographic data on tests conducted, cases confirmed, and deaths caused by the virus. Track the spread here.

Pennsylvania officials are weighing a new ban on indoor dining and the closure of gyms and casinos, and a decision is likely to come within days, according to a Capitol source with knowledge of the administration's planning but not authorized to speak publicly about it. Val Arkoosh, chair of the Montgomery County Board of Commissioners, also confirmed Wednesday that the state has been discussing additional restrictions. A spokesperson for Gov. Tom Wolf said no decisions have been finalized. Here are the current COVID-19 restrictions in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Philadelphia.

When health experts recommended six feet of social distancing within schools, Bucks County's Health Department director David Damsker settled for three feet. He has advocated for in-person instruction while some experts recommended virtual school, and his health department has stopped providing public data on the pandemic's spread, while residents in other counties can easily see local information on COVID-19 cases and deaths. These are just some examples of how Damsker has stood apart from, and sometimes at odds with, most health experts throughout the pandemic, my colleagues Jason Laughlin and Maddie Hanna report. Read more here.

Helpful resources

Symptoms of COVID-19, flu, common cold, and allergies can overlap. How to tell the difference.Everything to know about face masks, including when it might be time to replace yours.These principles of social distancing can help you figure out what you can and can't do.The coronavirus is mainly transmitted through the air. Here's how to tell if your ventilation is OK.What to consider if you're thinking about traveling this winter.You got this: Send these Philly food gifts this holiday season

Even though the pandemic is stopping many of us from being able to visit loved ones this holiday season, you can still send them a piece of Philly. My colleague Grace Dickinson rounds up all the Philly food, like cheesesteaks, whoopie pies, make-your-own pretzel kits, and more, you can ship nationwide.

🎄 See an un-corporate neighborhood light show.

🍪 Try these five holiday cookie recipes to end the year on a sweeter note.

🥡 Here's where to get holiday takeout for Hanukkah, Christmas Day, the Seven Fishes, and New Year's Eve.

• Parx
• Presque Isle
• Rivers Casino Philadelphia
• Rivers Casino Pittsburgh (starting Nov. 16)
• Mount Airy Casino
• Wind Creek Casino
• Mohegan Sun Pocono
• Harrah's Philadelphia

Hours of other casinos in PA

The Meadows:

• Sunday-Thursday, 8-4 a.m.
• Friday-Saturday, 8-5 a.m.

Valley Forge Casino :

• Monday-Thursday, 10-3 a.m. Open 24 hours, 10 a.m. Friday through 3 a.m. Monday.

Hollywood Casino:

• Closed daily from 4 to 8 a.m. for deep cleaning.

Lady Luck Nemacolin:

• Open 24 hours for slot gaming
• Table games hours:
  Monday-Friday, 3-12 a.m.
  Saturday and Sunday, 2 p.m.-12 a.m.

1% of casino employees test positive

The PGCB released figures last week that showed that fewer than 1% of casinos employees have tested positive for COVID-19 since the 12 brick-and-mortar locations opened in June. Rivers Pittsburgh had 28 cases and Parx had 25. A full breakdown can be found here.

Online casinos in PA

If you are 21+ and physically located in Pennsylvania, you don't even have to leave your home to play. There are now 11 online casinos in Pennsylvania. Things got even livelier this week as Caesars and FanDuellaunched online live dealer games.

Lead image credit: AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar

TL;DR: Pennsylvania officials are weighing a new ban on indoor dining and the closure of gyms and casinos, and a decision is likely within days, according to a source not authorized to speak publicly. Here are the current COVID-19 restrictions in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Philadelphia. And, how Bucks County's Health Department director David Damske has stood apart from, and sometimes at odds with, most health experts throughout the pandemic.

— Ellie Silverman (@esilverman11, health@inquirer.com)

What you need to know:

😷 Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf has tested positive for the coronavirus.

📈 Health officials in Philadelphia blame Thanksgiving gatherings for a renewed spike in COVID-19 cases.

🏥 Nursing homes and long-term care facilities are seeing significant spikes in Philadelphia and across Pennsylvania.

🚇 SEPTA is considering service cuts and layoffs as it predicts an operating budget shortfall of at least $622 million through the end of fiscal year 2023. SEPTA also will indefinitely close its trolley tunnel overnight beginning Monday.

🛍️ Nine months into the pandemic, 26 businesses — almost all locally owned — have shut down in Old City or relocated from the neighborhood, and 16 shops have opened.

🧁 Out of the coronavirus doldrums, a Queen Village middle-schooler created her own pastry business.

📚 Lower Merion high schools are going virtual as many students stay home.

📰 What's going on in your county or neighborhood? We organized recent coverage of the coronavirus pandemic by local counties and Philly neighborhoods mentioned in the stories to make it easier for you to find the info you care about.

Local coronavirus cases

📈The coronavirus has swept across the Philadelphia region and cases continue to mount. The Inquirer and Spotlight PA are compiling geographic data on tests conducted, cases confirmed, and deaths caused by the virus. Track the spread here.

Pennsylvania officials are weighing a new ban on indoor dining and the closure of gyms and casinos, and a decision is likely to come within days, according to a Capitol source with knowledge of the administration's planning but not authorized to speak publicly about it. Val Arkoosh, chair of the Montgomery County Board of Commissioners, also confirmed Wednesday that the state has been discussing additional restrictions. A spokesperson for Gov. Tom Wolf said no decisions have been finalized. Here are the current COVID-19 restrictions in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Philadelphia.

When health experts recommended six feet of social distancing within schools, Bucks County's Health Department director David Damsker settled for three feet. He has advocated for in-person instruction while some experts recommended virtual school, and his health department has stopped providing public data on the pandemic's spread, while residents in other counties can easily see local information on COVID-19 cases and deaths. These are just some examples of how Damsker has stood apart from, and sometimes at odds with, most health experts throughout the pandemic, my colleagues Jason Laughlin and Maddie Hanna report. Read more here.

Helpful resources

Symptoms of COVID-19, flu, common cold, and allergies can overlap. How to tell the difference.Everything to know about face masks, including when it might be time to replace yours.These principles of social distancing can help you figure out what you can and can't do.The coronavirus is mainly transmitted through the air. Here's how to tell if your ventilation is OK.What to consider if you're thinking about traveling this winter.You got this: Send these Philly food gifts this holiday season

Even though the pandemic is stopping many of us from being able to visit loved ones this holiday season, you can still send them a piece of Philly. My colleague Grace Dickinson rounds up all the Philly food, like cheesesteaks, whoopie pies, make-your-own pretzel kits, and more, you can ship nationwide.

🎄 See an un-corporate neighborhood light show.

🍪 Try these five holiday cookie recipes to end the year on a sweeter note.

🥡 Here's where to get holiday takeout for Hanukkah, Christmas Day, the Seven Fishes, and New Year's Eve.

Have a social distancing tip or question to share? Let us know at health@inquirer.com and your input might be featured in a future edition of this newsletter.

What we're paying attention to

From the Washington Post: 'A rural South Dakota community ignored the virus for months. Then people started dying.'The pandemic could have a long-lasting generational impact on the class of 2020, Vox reports. Recent graduates are struggling to find employments during one of the worst job markets since the Great Depression.Some commercial evictions are moving forward, other developers are in negotiations with their tenants, and some tenants are breaking their leases. Billy Penn reports how Philly businesses are landlords are handling the economic crisis.Enjoy getting our journalism through email? You can also sign up for The Inquirer Morning Newsletter to get the latest news, features, investigations and more sent straight to your inbox each morning Sunday-Friday. Sign up here.

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