Pa Casinos Closure

As COVID-19 continues to surge in the US, the state of Pennsylvania is the latest to announce statewide closures of casinos for the next several weeks. Pennsylvania is just the latest state to implement such measures, though it certainly won’t be the last: health experts in the United States are indicating that this most recent wave of COVID-19 infections is likely to be the deadliest yet.

The COVID-19 pandemic closed all commercial and tribal casino properties in the United States. This map tracks reopening across the country at the property-level. A property is considered open based on. For questions about the Open and Certified Pennsylvania program, read the Frequently Asked Questions or email covidselfcert@pa.gov. Resources and Loans To help navigate through the potential financial impact the COVID-19 pandemic has had on Pennsylvania businesses, the state and federal government are offering loans to help offset the revenue lost. Tom Wolf announced new steps Thursday to combat the surge in coronavirus cases, including temporary measures to prohibit indoor dining in restaurants, the closure of casinos and theaters and a.

Movie theaters, casinos, museums, and other businesses will be affected by the new rules. ©12019/Pixabay

Governor Tom Wolf’s Announcement

On Thursday, December 10, Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf announced in a public statement that Pennsylvania would be re-instituting strict measures to contain the spread of the novel respiratory virus known as COVID-19. According to Governor Wolf’s statement, these measures should last until 8 a.m. Monday, January 4, 2021.

The New Rules

According to Governor Wolf’s announcement, the lockdown would go into effect by 12:01 a.m. on Saturday, December 12, giving business owners just a few days to begin making preparations to shutter their operations for the time being. The new rules will affect a number of factors across everyday life, including business, socializing, and sports.

For a several week period, indoor dining is no longer permitted at restaurants in Pennsylvania, though to-go service is allowed. Diners are allowed to be served alcoholic beverages if they are eating outdoors, though such beverages cannot be served past 11 p.m. If diners are still drinking alcohol after midnight, these drinks will be taken away.

When customers go inside businesses, they are mandated to wear facial coverings. School sports, including extracurricular youth sports, will be temporarily suspended from December 12, 2020, until January 4, 2021. Any business with in-person operations can only serve a maximum capacity of 50%.

How Will Casinos Be Affected?

As part of this rule, any facility which offers indoor entertainment is effectively barred from opening its doors during the weeks from December 12 until January 4. This means that locations like museums, cinemas, and casinos will not be able to operate for this period of time.

Effective Immediately, The Casinos Closing

As such, Pennsylvania’s 12 casinos have closed beginning on December 12, and will remain closed through early January. The casinos affected include Wind Creek Bethlehem, Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course, Live! Casino Pittsburgh, Mohegan Sun Pocono, Harrah’s Philadelphia, Lady Luck Nemacolin, Rivers Pittsburgh, and others.

Some Casinos Had Already Closed

In fact, the new regulation had no impact on at least one casino in Pennsylvania: namely, Rivers Casino Philadelphia, which was forced to close its doors on November 20, 2020, following orders from the city government. At the time, the casino stated that it would remain closed until at least January 1, 2021.

Simultaneously, the South Philadelphia Race and Sportsbook also announced that it would be closing for at least several weeks. Now, neither business has a choice, and must remain closed until at least January 4, 2021. At that point, should COVID-19 infections decrease, they will be given permission to reopen.

Which Forms Of Gambling Will Be Affected?

Following Governor Wolf’s announcement, gamblers in Pennsylvania may be wondering how their activities may be impacted by this latest development. This latest closure impacts only land-based gambling which takes place indoors: namely, traditional casinos and combined racetrack-casinos.

Other forms of gambling, such as iGaming, sports betting, and fantasy sports contests which involve wagering, remain permitted under these regulations. It is, as yet, extremely unusual for land-based gambling restrictions due to COVID-19 to have any additional effect on online gambling offerings.

COVID Cases In Pennsylvania Are Skyrocketing

The difficult, unpopular decision to reimplement lockdown measures in Pennsylvania comes after recorded cases of COVID-19 in the state continue to reach an all-time high. In fact, as Governor Wolf gave the address on December 12, he spoke from home as he himself had tested positive for the novel respiratory virus.

Coronavirus Hits Harder Than Ever In The US

As of December 12, 2020, more than 440,000 of Pennsylvania’s residents have tested positive for COVID-19. More than 11,000 Pennsylvanians have died of coronavirus. Though the nation has been consistently grappling with COVID-19 since March of this year, the cold months have seen infection rates soar to dizzying heights.

According to reports from the Associated Press, health officials in the country are anticipating that the combined holidays of Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s will likely only increase the surge in COVID-19 cases, as ongoing political turmoil in the US has led to confusing policy regarding COVID-19 lockdown, including for socializing.

Pa Casinos Shut Down

Pennsylvania Casinos Aren’t The Only Ones Affected

For those who have been keeping up with the trends in land-based US gambling, it is likely no surprise to learn that Pennsylvania is far from the only state in the country implementing — or re-implementing — controversial lockdown measures to curb the continued spread of the dangerous virus.

In Early December, Strict Rules For Nevada Casinos

At the beginning of December, Nevada Governor Steve Sisolak announced harsh lockdown measures for the state, including particularly strict orders for the city of Las Vegas. Casinos in Nevada will not have to close, but they will be subject to a strict maximum capacity of 25%.

TL;DR: Pennsylvania officials are weighing a new ban on indoor dining and the closure of gyms and casinos, and a decision is likely within days, according to a source not authorized to speak publicly. Here are the current COVID-19 restrictions in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Philadelphia. And, how Bucks County’s Health Department director David Damske has stood apart from, and sometimes at odds with, most health experts throughout the pandemic.

— Ellie Silverman (@esilverman11, health@inquirer.com)

What you need to know:

😷 Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf has tested positive for the coronavirus.

📈 Health officials in Philadelphia blame Thanksgiving gatherings for a renewed spike in COVID-19 cases.

🏥 Nursing homes and long-term care facilities are seeing significant spikes in Philadelphia and across Pennsylvania.

🚇 SEPTA is considering service cuts and layoffs as it predicts an operating budget shortfall of at least $622 million through the end of fiscal year 2023. SEPTA also will indefinitely close its trolley tunnel overnight beginning Monday.

🛍️ Nine months into the pandemic, 26 businesses — almost all locally owned — have shut down in Old City or relocated from the neighborhood, and 16 shops have opened.

🧁 Out of the coronavirus doldrums, a Queen Village middle-schooler created her own pastry business.

📚 Lower Merion high schools are going virtual as many students stay home.

📰 What’s going on in your county or neighborhood? We organized recent coverage of the coronavirus pandemic by local counties and Philly neighborhoods mentioned in the stories to make it easier for you to find the info you care about.

Local coronavirus cases

📈The coronavirus has swept across the Philadelphia region and cases continue to mount. The Inquirer and Spotlight PA are compiling geographic data on tests conducted, cases confirmed, and deaths caused by the virus. Track the spread here.

Pennsylvania officials are weighing a new ban on indoor dining and the closure of gyms and casinos, and a decision is likely to come within days, according to a Capitol source with knowledge of the administration’s planning but not authorized to speak publicly about it. Val Arkoosh, chair of the Montgomery County Board of Commissioners, also confirmed Wednesday that the state has been discussing additional restrictions. A spokesperson for Gov. Tom Wolf said no decisions have been finalized. Here are the current COVID-19 restrictions in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Philadelphia.

When health experts recommended six feet of social distancing within schools, Bucks County’s Health Department director David Damsker settled for three feet. He has advocated for in-person instruction while some experts recommended virtual school, and his health department has stopped providing public data on the pandemic’s spread, while residents in other counties can easily see local information on COVID-19 cases and deaths. These are just some examples of how Damsker has stood apart from, and sometimes at odds with, most health experts throughout the pandemic, my colleagues Jason Laughlin and Maddie Hanna report. Read more here.

Helpful resources

Symptoms of COVID-19, flu, common cold, and allergies can overlap. How to tell the difference.Everything to know about face masks, including when it might be time to replace yours.These principles of social distancing can help you figure out what you can and can’t do.The coronavirus is mainly transmitted through the air. Here’s how to tell if your ventilation is OK.What to consider if you’re thinking about traveling this winter.You got this: Send these Philly food gifts this holiday season

Even though the pandemic is stopping many of us from being able to visit loved ones this holiday season, you can still send them a piece of Philly. My colleague Grace Dickinson rounds up all the Philly food, like cheesesteaks, whoopie pies, make-your-own pretzel kits, and more, you can ship nationwide.

🎄 See an un-corporate neighborhood light show.

🍪 Try these five holiday cookie recipes to end the year on a sweeter note.

🥡 Here’s where to get holiday takeout for Hanukkah, Christmas Day, the Seven Fishes, and New Year’s Eve.

Have a social distancing tip or question to share? Let us know at health@inquirer.com and your input might be featured in a future edition of this newsletter.

What we’re paying attention to

Pa Casino Closure

From the Washington Post: “A rural South Dakota community ignored the virus for months. Then people started dying.”The pandemic could have a long-lasting generational impact on the class of 2020, Vox reports. Recent graduates are struggling to find employments during one of the worst job markets since the Great Depression.Some commercial evictions are moving forward, other developers are in negotiations with their tenants, and some tenants are breaking their leases. Billy Penn reports how Philly businesses are landlords are handling the economic crisis.Enjoy getting our journalism through email? You can also sign up for The Inquirer Morning Newsletter to get the latest news, features, investigations and more sent straight to your inbox each morning Sunday-Friday. Sign up here.

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