Area Casinos and Supermarkets Closing Or Suspending Hours Of Operation
by Alex Lloyd Gross
Parx Casino has closed for two weeks. All concerts scheduled in the Xcite Center will not happen this month and could be rescheduled. Casinos in Atlantic City, same deal. In Philadelphia the Rivers Casino ( Formerly Sugar House) has closed for two weeks. All of this due to the COVID-19 pandemic that is going around. The casinos will be cleaned and sanitized. Concerts and events require people to sit in close proximity to each other, which is exactly what the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as well as numerous local and state health departments advise against doing.
When people hear about things like this, they panic buy. Especially when they see videos from 3000 miles away showing fights over toilet paper. Giant stores have seen a run on food and supplies. All 24 hour stores will close at midnight until 6:00 AM for stocking and cleaning, the company said. In the Bensalem, on Thursday, the store was so packed, the line to check out went around the entire store. “There is no need to buy 400 rolls of toilet paper or hoard supplies,” Governor Tom Wolf said during remarks about the COVID -19 Pandemic. Saturday afternoon the store was stocked with toilet paper. The check out line was normal . However, the store was half empty.with can goods, frozen vegetables and meats were few and far between. Shop Rite stores in the area will also close for re stocking and cleaning. Thursday, the ACME in Roxborough was beyond packed. The best advice is to contact the store prior to going out.
All schools in the state are closed for two weeks. City of Philadelphia managing Director Brian Abernathy said that “The school system is where a lot of kids get their meals at.. it is not something we want to do, without having a program in place for kids to be fed,”. Less than an hour after making those remarks Friday Governor Tom Wolf ordered the schools closed.
This will create a severe hardship on people. Parents may have to spend money on childcare or food. According to State Representative Tina Davis, the Public Utility Commission has imposed a moratorium on shutting off electric, phone and gas service for people that fall behind on their bills. Banks are expected to follow suit by waiving late fees for people that pay late. Workers at stadiums are also hit hard, as they see weeks ahead with no work. Marc Cuban is paying stadium employees as long as there is no work, for his stadium and team.
Locally, Penndel Borough and police have closed their offices . Police will still respond to calls. Some politicians, like Senator Art Haywood are closing their offices to walk ins. They are asking constituents to call their office instead. Newtown Bucks County closed all of their facilities to the public for two weeks.