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Illinois Gaming Board announces casino reopening protocols9 June 2020(PRESS RELEASE) -- On 13 March 2020, the Illinois Gaming Board took the unprecedented step of suspending all statewide casino gambling operations, effective 16 March 2020, in order to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and protect the safety and integrity of Illinois gaming. The IGB’s primary concern during these challenging times is the health and welfare of gaming patrons, employees, IGB staff, and all Illinois residents. The IGB’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic has been, and will continue to be, informed by data, science and guidance from the Illinois Department of Public Health, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other public health experts. The IGB is also mindful of the hardship and dire economic disruption this pandemic is causing for casino operators and employees and host communities across Illinois. The IGB is committed to the safe, fair, deliberate, consistent, and regulatory compliant resumption of casino gambling. The timing and conditions for such a resumption will be based upon public health guidance and metrics, and will proceed within the framework of Governor Pritzker’s Restore Illinois plan. In accordance with Section 9 of the 29 May 2020 Disaster Proclamation issued by Governor JB Pritzker which requires the Board to develop and implement strategies and plans to cope with and recover from the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the Restore Illinois Plan. This memo outlines protocols Owners Licensees must follow to obtain approval to safely resume Casino gambling throughout the State. Toward that end, the purpose of this memo is to outline the protocols Owners Licensees must follow to obtain approval to safely resume casino gambling operations. Pandemic Response Liaison – Each Owners Licensee shall designate and identify to the IGB an employee who will serve as the Licensee’s Pandemic Response Liaison. The Liaison will be the primary point of contact with the IGB regarding the Licensee’s Resumption Plan (discussed immediately below). The Liaison will also be responsible for ensuring the Licensee’s compliance with the Resumption Plan, IGB Rules, State law (including executive orders) and applicable IDPH and CDC 6 foot social distancing and COVID-19 requirements. The Liaison shall also assist public health authorities with any needed contact tracing and information sharing. Pandemic Resumption Plan – Each Owners Licensee shall submit its proposed Pandemic Resumption Plan to the IGB. The Plan must receive IGB approval before an Owners Licensee may reopen for any public-facing casino gambling operations. Submitted plans must be consistent with current IDPH and CDC guidance, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (“OSHA”) recommendations, Governor Pritzker’s executive orders, and any other applicable State or local health and safety requirements. The IGB will review and approve all plans in coordination with IDPH. At a minimum, plans must address in detail the following items: 1. Reopening Procedures, Internal Controls Changes, and Waiver Requests – Plans shall detail gaming regulatory reopening procedures, and any requested internal control changes or waiver requests necessary to reopen and/or implement the Resumption Plan. 2. 6 Foot Social Distancing Requirements – Plans shall detail how current 6 foot social distancing requirements will be observed and enforced in the following settings:
3. Personal Protective Equipment (“PPE”) – Plans shall detail how PPE usage requirements will be observed and enforced, including without limitation:
enhanced regular cleaning, disinfecting and sanitizing and for recurring deep cleaning and disinfecting of the facility, including the frequency and interval at which the various activities will occur. Note: All facilities must be deep cleaned, sanitized and disinfected prior to reopening. At a minimum, plans shall provide procedures for the cleaning, disinfecting and sanitizing the following areas:
disinfecting and sanitizing products (including hand sanitizer). Plans shall detail the placement and availability of hand sanitizer and disinfecting wipes in patron and employee areas 5. Daily Health Screening – Plans shall detail how employees and patrons will be screened for fever and other symptoms or illness and for possible exposure to COVID-19. Plans should also address steps that will be taken to comply with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (“HIPAA”) in connection with such screening. Individuals that do not pass health screening shall not be allowed entry to the facility. 6. Signage – Plans shall detail the placement and use of signage on property, including floor markings, to remind patrons and employees of social distancing requirements, proper hand washing, use of sanitizers, use of PPE, and to stay at home if feeling sick. Signage must be easily readable and displayed in prominent locations throughout the facility. 7. Training – Plans shall provide for employee training and instruction on the following minimum required topics:
supervisor if they observe a patron or co-worker exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms or other illness. Employees shall not be disciplined or otherwise penalized for staying home from work because they were sick, experienced COVID-19 symptoms, were exposed to COVID-19, received a positive COVID-19 diagnosis, or were subject to mandatory quarantine. Nor shall employee bonuses or incentives be tied to attendance in any way that could incentivize employees to come to work while sick. 8. Monitoring and Reporting – Plans shall detail the procedures for ensuring compliance with the facility’s Resumption Plan and for prompt reporting of all violations and deficiencies to the IGB. Plans shall also detail procedures for reporting confirmed patron or employee cases of COVID-19 in conformity with IDPH and local county health authority guidelines. Plans should also identify the steps that each facility will take if a COVID-19 outbreak occurs at the facility. 9. Capacity and Occupancy – Plans shall detail occupancy requirements that allow up to 50% of the maximum capacity allowed under the fire code in each facility. This percentage is subject to change depending on the public health conditions at any time. 10. Food and Beverage Service – Plans shall outline how the facility’s food and beverage program will comply with all applicable State and local health requirements imposed on food and beverage businesses in Illinois. 11. Hotel Operations (if applicable) – Plans shall outline how the facility’s hotel operations will comply with all applicable State and local health requirements imposed on similar hotel businesses in Illinois. 12. Spas and Gyms (if applicable) – Plans shall outline how the facility’s spa and/ or gym operations will comply with all applicable State and local health requirements imposed on similar businesses in Illinois. 13. Entertainment and Concert Venues (if applicable) – Plans shall outline how the facility’s entertainment and concert venue operations will comply with all applicable State and local health requirements imposed on similar businesses in Illinois, including capacity and occupancy restrictions. Initially Prohibited Activities – The following activities will not be permitted until further notice from the IGB at such time after IDPH has approved their safe resumption:
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