New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy announced Monday that Atlantic City casinos as well as restaurants with indoor dining rooms may reopen at reduced capacity next week.
Casinos will be able to reopen July 2 with 25 percent occupancy, according to the regulations announced Monday. That same day, restaurants may resume indoor dining, albeit at the same 25 percent capacity level. Outdoor gatherings, as of Monday, can now be attended by 250 people, up from the previous 100-person limit. Outdoor political protests and religious services are exempt from the limits.
Atlantic City is home to nine casinos which had been recovering recently after years of downturns and several closures.
“We’re delighted to get the reopening date,” Joe Lupo, president of the Hard Rock casino, told NBC 10. “We thank the governor that we’ll be able to be open for the July 4th weekend to meet the demand on the world-famous Atlantic City Boardwalk.”
More detailed guidelines for casino operations will be released in the coming days, according to state officials. MGM, which owns the Borgata casino, as well as Hard Rock, have already announced plans that will be specific to their properties. Hard Rock, for example, will require all employees and guests to wear masks.
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