Parx Casino Opens But It Looks Different
by Alex Lloyd Gross
Parx casino is open. But it is a different scene than in February. The first thing you will notice is a canopy and markers for social distancing. You cannot just walk in . Assume that you get there and it is not busy, you will wait until called. An employee will open a door for you . You will get a temperature check through non invasive means. That requires removal of your mask. No mask, no entry. Now if you have no temperature, you are good to go.
Hand sanitizer is plentiful. It’s all around the floor. Slot machines and table games are not going to be as full as they once were. Plexiglass panels separate you from others guests. That also means that some machines will not be working and that some seats at table games are not open. It’s all to keep you save. No one wants to go out to have fun and get sick. Bathrooms are non touch, you go in and there is nothing to touch, like a door handle or towel dispenser.
Music may be a while before concerts come back. Today, just after 8:00 AM, the casino floor was busy. People have been cooped up and perhaps a little bit of gambling is just what they need to get into normalcy. Here is a full list of what you can expect.
o For now, valet parking will not be available to guests.
o Entry will be limited to certain marked doors at each of the three main entry areas.
o Guests will enter through doors that are either propped open, automated, or manually opened by a Parx employee.
o If the property has reached capacity, guests may be asked to wait in an outside queue. These queues will be sectioned off, covered from the elements, marked for appropriate social distancing and monitored by security. We will establish a dedicated queue and entry for our Elite and Premium XClub guests.
o A security officer will greet each visitor, screen them and ask them to use hand sanitizer.
o The screening process involves some questions and a temperature check upon entry. All guests will have their temperature checked using contactless thermal cameras or infrared thermometers. If a guest registers a temperature at or above 100.4°F, the guest will be asked to take a secondary temperature screening in a non-invasive manner. If the secondary temperature check also registers a temperature at or above 100.4°F, the guest will not be allowed entry into the property. If the guest refuses the secondary screening, the guest will be denied entry.
o Guests will be required to wear approved masks at all times while on the property. If a guest does not have a clean, approved mask with them, Parx will provide the guest with a mask. Guests who refuse to wear masks will be denied entry.
Additional guest safety procedures:
o Guests will be advised to practice appropriate social distancing as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and the Pennsylvania Department of Health.
o Slot machines, table games, restaurant tables and other physical layouts have been arranged to promote distancing. Per governmental guidance, the poker room will be closed until further notice.
o Hand sanitizer dispensers will be placed at all entrances and contact surfaces throughout the casino floor, restaurant entrances and service counters. We encourage guests to use these stations regularly.
o Health and hygiene reminders will be displayed throughout the property demonstrating the correct manner to wear, handle and dispose of masks.
o We have increased the frequency of cleaning and sanitizing throughout the premises, with emphasis on frequent contact surfaces, including, but not limited to, door handles, bathrooms, ATMs, TRMs, kiosks, cage counters, gaming machines, gaming tables, dining surfaces and seating areas.
o We have increased the frequency of air filter replacement and HVAC system cleaning and maximized fresh air exchange.
Employee safety procedures:
o All employees will submit to the same temperature check process as guests upon their entry to the property. Employees with a temperature at or above 100.4°F will be denied entry.
o All employees will wear masks in all public guest interaction areas and public office areas. Other PPE including gloves will be available to all team members and mandated for certain activities.
o All employees have been instructed to wash their hands (or use hand sanitizer if a sink is not available) every 60 minutes and after any of the following activities: using the restroom, sneezing, touching their face, blowing their nose, cleaning, sweeping, mopping, smoking, eating, drinking, entering the gaming floor, going on and returning from break and before and after starting their shift.
o Our employees will be provided training in our new safety, sanitation and social distancing protocols.