What lies beyond the pandemic? MassForward is MassLives series examining the journey of Massachusetts businesses through and beyond the coronavirus pandemic.

________________

Walking through the main doors from the parking lot at MGM Springfield, things look about the same as they did before the coronavirus pandemic shuttered most Massachusetts businesses back in March. There is staff to greet customers. All the slot machines seem to still be in place.

Once inside, however, there are both handwashing and hand sanitizing stations. Some areas are closed to the public and there are signs throughout the floor that inform the guests to socially distance and practice good hygiene.

MGM Springfield will reopen in a limited capacity to the public on Monday at 10, a.m. under restrictions set out by the Massachusetts Gaming Commission and Gov. Charlie Baker.

The Massachusetts Gaming Commission closed the states three casinos on March 14, initially for two weeks before extending the closures. MGM Springfield, Encore Boston Harbor and Plainridge Park all shut down.

When the casino opens its doors Monday, roughly 800 slot machines will be ready for play out of over 2,000 that were available pre-pandemic. Its a similar story for restaurant capacity, blackjack tables and the casino as a whole -- only a third is available under the states guidelines, which MGM Springfield management say they are happy to follow.

Poker, roulette and craps will not be available until a later date.

As it is in businesses across the state, masks or face coverings will be required of all guests, even when they are at a station with the appropriate social distancing or at the blackjack table where there is plexiglass protecting the dealer and other customers. Between sips of their drink, customers will be asked to keep the mask on. If the patron has a drink, they are asked to not walk the floor with it. Instead, they are to leave it in place and order another from serving staff that will be on the floor at the next station.

Chris Kelley, president of the Northeast Group, MGM Resorts told MassLive that the casino is focusing on public safety as the main goal and hopes that they will be able to further accommodate clientele when it is safe to do so.

This is a community that continues to overcome hardships by supporting and caring for one another, and it is a privilege to be a part of it, said Kelley. When we reopen our doors, we do so with the health and safety of our guests and employees as our number one priority. The property will look a little different, but the great experience at MGM Springfield will remain the same. We look forward to welcoming our guests back.

Slot machines have been closed off to promote social distancing as well as plexiglass being put up between machines for added safety. (Douglas Hook / MassLive)

Kelley spoke of the seven-point safety plan that has been developed by an epidemiologist and other health experts that have been advising the resort on how to mitigate the spread of the virus, protect customers, employees and rapidly respond to potential new cases.

We have a comprehensive multi-layered plan that is focused on infusing health and safety into the center of everything that we do, said Kelley to MassLive. Partnering with experts is a big piece of that, partnering with the state and local officials as well as regulators in each jurisdiction.

Springfield Mayor Domenic J. Sarno, along with members of his administration, joined with Kelley and other MGM officials for a tour of the casino on Tuesday.

MGM has taken extraordinary measures to comply with the governors guidance around COVID-19, said Helen Caulton-Harris, the citys commissioner of public health on Tuesday. I felt good about how MGM has put the effort in ensuring those guests who decide to go to MGM will be safe.

Abe Berry, vice president of Hospitality shows the mobile scanner that will be used to promote safety within the restaurants of the casino. (Douglas Hook / MassLive)

Dining options for now will be limited to the Tap Sports Bar, South End Market and Costas pizza counter where diners will use mobile devices to view and order their food.

Abe Berry, vice president of hospitality, demonstrated the new mobile scanning station that will be used to reserve a table, preview the menu and order food at Taps Sports Bar. The space inside, like elsewhere, is socially distanced with each table a minimum of 6 feet away from others.

Berry said that before the pandemic the Taps could facilitate up to 240 seats in the restaurant and 25 outside, now the capacity is just 90 inside. However, the outside seating area has now been expanded and can fit up to 95 people bringing the total capacity for Taps Sports Bar to 185.

The hotel at MGM Springfield remains closed even though under state phase 3 reopening guidelines they are able to reopen.

The big thing for us is the convention business which drives a lot of the hotel and leisure, but that hasnt come back as strong as wed like to see, said Berry. In addition to that, the limit on capacity that the governor has set for large groups [is not viable at this point].

As the state continues to lift restrictions on groups not only will the casino look at reopening the hotel but also the other restaurants that remain closed.

MGM seven-point safety plan has been posted at the main entrance and casino to remind customers and staff of the precautions they should take to stop the spread of the virus. (Douglas Hook / MassLive)

With the exception of the cleaning staff, MGM Springfield has taken staff on at a third of capacity. With only select restaurants open and many of the tables and slot machines closed off, the need to bring the casino back to full capacity is just not there yet.

Weve been in touch with our team members throughout this because theyve been going through a difficult time, MariKate Murren, vice president of Human Resources said to MassLive. Our intent, based on the Massachusetts gaming commission and the commonwealth of Massachusetts, is to bring them back as they allow us to have additional capacity here and to open additional outlets. That is the intent to bring back as many people as we can.

The cleaning staff of the casino is the only department that is at full capacity due to the importance of the upkeep during the pandemic of the casino.

Before the pandemic, MGM Springfield had more than 2,000 employees. Now the casino is staffed by roughly 650 staff members.

The resort has focused its reopening efforts around the seven-point safety plan. Those include:

Vice President and General Counsel Seth Stratton demonstrats one of the new hand washing station in the casino. (Douglas Hook / MassLive)

Changes that guests can expect:

Hand sanatizer stations have been installed around the casino. (Douglas Hook / MassLive)

MassForward is MassLive's series examining the journey of Massachusetts' small businesses through and beyond the coronavirus pandemic.

See the original post here:

MGM Springfield reopens Monday; Heres how the casino plans to provide a safe experience amid the pandemic - MassLive.com