Here's how Ohio's casinos will operate

SANDUSKY — Will you roll the dice by entering one of Ohio's casinos when they can reopen on Friday? Closed since mid-March, due to COVID-19 and Ohio's resulting stay-at-home order, the state's four full-fledged gaming operations — in Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati and Toledo — incorporated several new safety measures. The state's seven racinos, where there's a horse track paired with gambling facilities, can also reopen on Friday. The two casinos closest to Sandusky, in Cleveland and Toledo, both plan to unlock their doors at 6 a.m. Friday. "While the amenities our customers have come to know and love may be somewhat limited, for the time being, the ability to safely welcome back our team members and guests remain our top priority," said Justin Carter, the vice president and general manager of Hollywood Casino in Toledo. The changes Several entities collectively came up with and agreed to the guidelines for casinos to reopen. This would include advisory workgroup comprised of public health officials, representatives from the casino industry as well as individuals from the Ohio Casino Control Commission, Ohio Lottery, State Racing Commission and the Harness Horseman Association. They include the following: Virus protection • Guests don't have to wear face masks/coverings but can and are encouraged to do so. Before entering, as requested by staff, guests must briefly lower their face masks/coverings for age and identification purposes. • Casino employees, however, must wear face masks/coverings at all times. There are, however, certain exceptions, depending on a person's job responsibilities, which would exempt them. • By entering, guests affirm and attest to: — Not having close contact with anyone confirmed or suspected of being infected with COVID-19 in the last 14 days — Not experiencing any symptoms related to COVID-19 • Anyone who is observed to be showing symptoms or anyone who reports experiencing symptoms will be instructed to immediately leave. • Employees must report any confirmed COVID-19 case to a local public health district. Lack of amenities • The following amenities won't reopen when casinos can on Friday: valet; coat check; poker in poker rooms (poker games in the "pit" area, like Pai Gow, will be allowed), concerts/live events and conferences/banquets. There's no timetable for their returns. • Casinos will establish a maximum capacity at no more than 50 percent of the fire code. Or, in other words, fewer people will be allowed inside. Social distancing Casinos will implement various measures to promote social distancing between people and other individuals and groups. Supervisors and managers will ensure guests do not congregate in groups. It'll also be accomplished through: • Signage: There will be social distancing reminders posted throughout properties, advising guests to stand at least 6 feet apart from other groups of people not traveling with them. • Queuing: 6-foot spacing will be designed with signage, tape or other means where lines may form, such as at entrances, service desks, counters and kiosks. • Slot machines and video lottery terminals: Machines will be placed out of services, layouts reconfigured and/or chairs removed to encourage social distancing. • Table games: Gaming positions will be limited as follows to encourage social distancing: — No more than three players at each blackjack and small baccarat table or at each end of a craps table. — No more than four players at each roulette and large baccarat table. — Additional gaming positions may be added if barriers or other protective devices approved by a local health board are utilized. — Some casinos might require players to wear masks while at a table game. • Racing: Every other betting window will be open, or barriers will be installed. Seats will be reconfigured or removed to allow for appropriate physical distancing. • Cages: Every other service window will be open, or barriers will be installed. Kiosks will be reconfigured so that there is at least 6 feet of physical separation between guests. • Retail: All retail outlets will adhere to any public health orders relating to physical distancing or reduced capacity requirements applicable to retail stores. • Food and beverage: All food and beverage outlets will adhere to any public health orders relating to physical distancing or reduced seating capacity requirements applicable to bars and restaurants. Sanitizing procedures • Each facility must undergo a daily deep cleaning, using disinfecting products. • Frequent cleaning and disinfecting high-touch points on the gaming floor and common areas — such as slot machines, video lottery terminals, table games, chips, touch-screen kiosks, counters, railings, escalator handrails, elevator buttons and door handles — will take place. • Restrooms will be cleaned at least every two hours and more frequently, as needed. • Employees will place hand sanitizer stations throughout the gaming floor. • Employees will implement contactless payments, where possible, subject to regulatory approvals.