Operator News
New Zealand – All social distancing measures lifted for New Zealand casinos
By Phil - 9 June 2020
With no new coronavirus cases for two weeks and no active cases, New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Adern has lifted all restrictions on casinos in the country.
Whilst border restrictions remain in place, SkyCity’s New Zealand casinos in Auckland, Hamilton and Wellington will be among the first in the world to resume full operations with social distancing measures no longer required on its gaming floors or elsewhere.
SkyCity Entertainment Group said it was delighted to receive confirmation from the Government that New Zealand will be moving to COVID-19 Alert Level 1 at midnight 8 June, removing the restrictions on mass gatherings and physical distancing requirements for all businesses.
“Electronic gaming machines and gaming tables will operate as usual without physical distancing requirements – in particular the gaming ‘zones’ implemented at Alert Level 2 will be removed and members of the public will be able to return to the SkyCity casinos,” it said. Events and promotions will begin again.
Graeme Stephens, Chief Executive Officer of SkyCity Entertainment Group, said: “We are extremely excited to be welcoming all SkyCity customers back to our precincts. It will be fantastic to be busy again and able to have the public enjoy the many different facets of our properties. SkyCity remains committed to maintaining robust health and safety standards to manage the risks associated with COVID-19 and will be encouraging customers to maintain contact tracing via the Government’s NZ COVID Tracer app,” Mr Stephens added.
SkyCity said its business would be domestically focused for the foreseeable future.
