Crown Resorts has announced some much-needed good news with a further easing of COVID-19 restrictions at its flagship casino, Crown Melbourne.
The easing comes after the Victorian state government confirmed Friday that a series of COVID-19 restrictions would be rolled back, including mandatory wearing of face masks in most public spaces and an increase in the number of people allowed at various venues. The state had entered a short five-day lockdown from 12 to 16 February after a small number of COVID-19 cases linked to hotel quarantine workers were detected.
After reopening to customers on 17 February with a limit of 300 patrons on its casino floor, Crown said Friday it can now increase capacity to one person per four square meters in each indoor space, capped at 50% of maximum stated capacity for the entire facility.
“Physical distancing and hygiene protocols remain in place,” Crown said.
Crown Resorts is currently awaiting the start of a Royal Commission into its suitability to hold a casino license for flagship property Crown Melbourne, representing Victoria’s response to the Bergin Report which found Crown unsuitable to hold a license in the state of New South Wales.
The Royal Commission is set to be fast-tracked with the final report due as early as August, but no later than the end of the year.
Victoria’s Minister for Liquor and Gaming Regulation, Melissa Horne, confirmed during a recent press conference that Crown Melbourne will continue to operate in the meantime “but within the context of the Royal Commission examining its suitability. We need to work with the Royal Commission and see what those findings are.”
