(WWJ) Detroit's three casinos will be getting back to business next week, after Gov. Gretchen Whitmer gave the go-ahead.
The casinos are authorized to open their doors on Wednesday, August 5, although they will be limited just to 15% of their total capacity.
Under Whitmer's executive orders, casinos must also conduct a daily entry screening protocol for customers and employees, temperature screening. Casinos must require patrons to wear a face covering, except while eating or drinking or for identification purposes.
Bruce Dall, president of Motor City Casino says guests will notice some changes as soon as they arrive.
"They're gonna see a temperature check screening situation where they'll stay in their car, they'll drive up, we'll temperature check them," Dall explained. "If anyone in the car is over 100.4 degrees we'll ask them to go seek some medical help. Everyone else will be allowed to enter the casino."
Dall says Motor City will open on Wednesday at 10 a.m., with plenty of space for patrons to spread out.
Inside, Dall told WWJ: "Everyone will be wearing a mask. It's absolutely required — both of employees and guests — and properly worn so it's covering both the nose and the mouth. They'll see a bunch of dark machines because we've turned every other machine off to create the social distancing we need. And table games will only have three chairs instead of six chairs."
Greektown Casino is also planning to reopen next Wednesday,
"We have been working closely with the Michigan Gaming Control Board, state and local leaders, and public health officials to finalize comprehensive reopening protocols and new health and safety precautions. We look forward to sharing details of our property-specific procedures in advance of reopening and welcoming back team members and our customers," reads a message on the Greektown website.
Meanwhile, officials at MGM Grand Detroit, who showed off similar safety measures as described by Motor City, say the casino will reopen to the public just a couple of days later on Friday, August 7, at 10 a.m.
The casinos, which provide a crucial source of revenue for the City of Detroit, have been closed since mid-March due to concerns about the spread of COVID-19.
The reopening come as the coronavirus remains a concern in Michigan.
On Thursday, the state health department reported 715 new confirmed cases and 19 new deaths; 14 of which were identified during a records review. Meanwhile, hospitalizations across the state has decreased to 438 as of July 30 from 500 last week. The number of patients on ventilators has gone up a bit, however, to 153, officials reported, which is the most since the first week of June.