Manitoba is the next Canadian province to implement special measures battling the negative impact of COVID-19. Social distancing is about to be enhanced and enabled across the gambling sector via the latest decision of the Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries. The regulator put an end to table gaming at South Beach Casino & Resort until further notice. Winnipeg gaming venues were also affected by preventive measures.
Manitoba is striving to improve the overall health situation in a situation of global pandemic declared by the World Health Organization. As of March 16, the provincial government had confirmed a total of eight presumptive positive cases of COVID-19, the latest one being a man in his 80s hailing from Winnipeg. He is believed to have contracted the novel coronavirus while on a recent trip.
Gaming Continues in the Province
The eight cases of COVID-19 were confirmed over the days since last Thursday, marking an upwards progression of individuals contracting it. It should be taken into account that the health experts following closely the situation remain confident that the current situation in Canada is a low-risk one. Frequent hand washing, as well as practicing social distancing are the two best strategies.
Several of the Canadian provinces have already banned the operation fo their land-based casino locations and gaming halls. However, the Manitoba government has not issued such a preventive measure as of this Monday. Casino venues continue their work, although with some changes introduced to the casino floors themselves. Fortifying the hygiene policies on the premise of the casinos is mandatory.
Club Regent Casino and the McPhillips Station Casino already introduced the new sanitation stations that would aim to make it easier for the casino patrons to access hand sanitizers. They are advised to wash their hands frequently for a couple of minutes. If patrons are unable to do so, they could use the special units sprinkled across the casino floors of both locations in Winnipeg.
Social Distancing Might Be the Solution
Along with this measure, the casino management of both locations has introduced sanitizing wipes for added hygiene factors. As for the gaming opportunities, South Beach Casino and Resort has officially announced that table gaming is now closed at least until Tuesday. This is when the casino management would issue its decision respecting the dynamic situation in Manitoba and Canada.
The gaming hotspot would not have its Mango’s Restaurant working and welcoming customers as of March 16. The Blue Dolphin Lounge is also closed for business. Casinos of Winnipeg have also introduced some changes to the general gaming portfolio up for grabs. The two gaming venues are in the process of turning off some slot machines and gaming devices, as to ensure that there are no clusters of gamers.
Practicing social distancing within the casino floor would be essential for the individuals making their way there for their regular gaming activities. The slot machines are among the surfaces that face the most touching and interaction of tens of individuals on a daily basis. In order to protect their patrons, the casino staff is about to increase the sanitation frequency of these gaming devices. Club Regent Casino and McPhillips Station Casino also saw their table games come toa halt.
