Mayor Domenic J. Sarno, along with key members of his administration, joined with MGM Springfield President and COO Chris Kelley and other MGM officials for a tour of MGM Springfield to see first-hand their comprehensive reopening plans. MGM Springfield is scheduled to reopen, in part and with restrictions, Monday, July 13, 2020.
As part of the tour, the Mayor and city officials were shown the numerous precautionary and public health and safety changes MGM Springfield has made under the Commonwealths phased reopening plans for the state casinos. These include the entering and exiting procedures for both employees and guests, social distancing floor decals and markers, installed plexiglass dividers at slot machines and gaming tables, hand washing and hand sanitizer stations, and numerous signage posted throughout the property reminding everyone to wear masks in public areas and to maintain and encourage proper social distancing.
Also discussed during the tour were the operational and procedural changes made in response to the COVID-19 Coronavirus pandemic under strict state and local public health guidelines, and following MGM Resorts’ comprehensive “Seven-Point Safety Plan” which was developed in conjunction with an epidemiologist and other health experts to assure the wellbeing of the public and their workforce.
Mayor Sarno stated, “Like with all our businesses whether large or small, we’ll continue to work with them to get them back on their feet to succeed in this new temporary normalcy.”
MGM Springfield will also be following strict Massachusetts Gaming Commission (MGC) guidelines where the property will be adhering to a substantially reduced capacity limit during the initial phase of reopening. These include:
- HOTEL & SPA – MGM Springfield’s hotel and spa will remain closed until a future date.
- GAMING – To promote physical distancing, slot machines will be disabled to accommodate six feet between players; poker, roulette and craps will not be available in this first phase of reopening per MGC guidelines.
- DINING – Initially, dining options will be limited to Tap Sports Bar, South End Market and Costa’s pizza counter. Guests will utilize digital innovations such as QR codes for menus.
- BEVERAGE – Beverage service will be available on the casino floor and in connection with seated dining. To promote keeping the mask on, guests are not allowed to move around the casino floor with a drink; casino beverage service will be limited to those actively playing.
- PARKING/VALET – Complimentary self-parking will be available for guests; valet parking will not be operational at this time.
“I want to thank MGM Springfield President Chris Kelley and his team for presenting such a comprehensive reopening plan that focused on not only getting people back to work but just as important following and prioritizing all of the public health and safety guidelines to assure there is strong consumer confidence and that the facility is reopening responsibly,” Mayor Sarno added.
Those present during the tour included; Health and Human Services Commissioner Helen Caulton-Harris, Chief Development Officer Tim Sheehan, City Solicitor Attorney Ed Pikula, CAFO TJ Plante, Chief of Staff Tom Ashe, Communications Director William Baker, MGM Springfield Vice President and General Council Attorney Seth Stratton, MGM Springfield VP of Facilities Jason Rosewell, MGM Springfield VP of HR Marikate Murren, MGM Springfield VP of Hospitality Abe Berry, MGM Springfield Director of Government Affairs Jose Delgado, and MGM Springfield Director of Compliance Daniel Miller.
The City of Springfield will continue to work closely with MGM Springfield, medical experts, the MGC and other state officials as the casino begins the phased reopening of their facility and amenities.
