The Casino Association of New Jersey and AtlantiCare announced on Wednesday a new plan to safely reopen Atlantic City casinos once the state’s stay at home orders are lifted.
The collaboration, which is being developed by CANJ in consultation with AtlantiCare, will aid Gov. Murphy’s administration and regulators in developing a comprehensive reopening plan that prioritizes the safety of the industry’s employers and guests, and the local community.
“AtlantiCare is pleased to partner with the Casino Association of New Jersey to formulate a plan to safely reopen Atlantic City casinos to employees and guests,” Lori Herndon, CEO and president of AtlantiCare, said. “The COVID-19 pandemic has not only threatened our health and safety, it has also threatened the stability of Atlantic City’s gaming and tourism industry, the industry’s workforce and families, and our state and local economies. The Atlantic City gaming industry is a cornerstone of the entire South Jersey economy and reopening it safely at the right time, along with rest of our shore and regional businesses, must be our shared priority.”
AtlantiCare said it will provide resources to CANJ, including regional health care data and forecasts; guidance on CANJ’s reopening protocols; information about the effectiveness of protocols; potential collaborations; and best practices.
“We are grateful for the support and partnership from AtlantiCare as we devise a safe reopening strategy for the Atlantic City casino industry,” Steve Callender, president of the Casino Association of New Jersey, said. “At the Casino Association of New Jersey, our greatest priority is the health and safety of our employees, guests and fellow residents. We want Atlantic City to be ready to open as soon as the government determines it is appropriate to do so. That is why we are working with our regional healthcare provider to develop a comprehensive plan that ensures our properties are prepared and ready to reopen when the stay-at-home order is lifted.”
Cellender went on to note that Atlantic City’s casino industry is closely following the government’s policy changes, guidelines and mandates, and will continue to make appropriate changes based on those.
“We will continue to refine and update the plan as local and state mandates evolve, and our experts provide us with more guidance,” he said.
