Australia’s Crown Resorts has confirmed its intention to apply a mandatory vaccination policy for all employees, customers and contractors at its Melbourne and Sydney integrated resorts, with Perth likely to follow suit.
The policy had been hinted at by new Crown CEO and Managing Director Steve McCann in September but has only now been cemented following lengthy discussions with employees, unions, industry and business organisations, Crown said.
“We had overwhelming support for this from our stakeholders and thank them for working with us so constructively,” said McCann.
“The mood has shifted in Australia over the last few months, and people are recognising that we all have a part to play. COVID-19 has been devastating on so many in the community, and our business has an important role to play here.
“We must do whatever is in our power to help limit the potential for further impact at our resorts – whether that be to our people, our guests or to business continuity.”
The policy will come into effect immediately for Melbourne and Sydney while talks are ongoing in Perth, where a 31 January 2022 deadline has been set for implementation.
“Perth continues to enjoy an almost COVID-free environment and Government policy is still evolving, so we are not quite as advanced in our consultation,” McCann explained. “We need to finalise the methodology but our aim will be to achieve alignment across all of our resorts.
“From the start of the pandemic, we have promised our employees that we will always put their health and wellbeing first. This Policy is consistent with that – and consistent with our responsibility to care for not only our employees, but our guests, our partners and our investors interests.”
Crown previously announced a vaccine incentive scheme for all Crown employees entitling them to three hours paid leave for each vaccination they receive and an extra day of paid sick leave to anyone who needs it following a vaccination.
SkyCity Entertainment Group announced a similar vaccination policy covering its New Zealand casinos last Friday.
