Australia’s Star Entertainment Group says it will recall staff at its casinos in Sydney and Brisbane ahead of an expected increase in business from next week after their respective state governments announced a significant easing of COVID-19 restrictions.
With new cases nationwide now mostly limited to those in hotel quarantine, The Star Sydney will be able to increase its maximum capacity from just 1,800 guests currently to 10,000 from next Monday 7 December with the removal of a 300-patron cap per area. The NSW government has also eased a rule restricting hospitality venues to one person per four square meters of floor area, with one person per two square meters permitted from Monday.
In Queensland, where Star operates The Star Gold Coast and Treasury Brisbane, the one person per two square meter rule has also come into play from 1 December 2020, while restrictions on the use of slot machines and gaming tables have been removed.
Every gaming machine can now be utilized and the number of people allowed per gaming table has increased from four to seven. Alcohol can also now be consumed while standing.
“The easing in operating restrictions across all three properties will enable us to welcome back additional employees as well as an increased number of our members and guests to safe and entertaining environments,” Star said.
