THOMPSON — Resorts World Catskills recently spent over $1 million on new health and safety measures, but that might not be enough as concerns over the COVID-19 pandemic persist more than five months after the first positive case was recorded in New York.

During a conference call with reporters on Thursday, Governor Andrew Cuomo defended his decision to keep casinos closed for the time being.

“It's an issue of density, the likelihood of compliance and the essential nature of the business,” Cuomo explained. “People need food, people need clothes, people need home goods. You don't need a casino to maintain survival.”

Earlier that day Meghan Taylor, vice president of government affairs and community relations for Genting Americas Inc., led local officials on a tour of the casino in Thompson to highlight the work they've done to eventually re-open as safely as they can. “Here at Resorts World Catskills, we are ready to open our doors with a soft reopening,” Taylor said.

Some Native American casinos have already reopened, but upstate commercially-licensed casinos such as Resorts World Catskills, del Lago Resort & Casino in Seneca County, Rivers Casino in Schenectady, and Tioga Downs Casino Resort in Nichols are regulated by the State Gaming Commission. They've been closed since March 16 when active cases of COVID-19 were surging throughout New York.

“During these unprecedented times, Resorts World Catskills' main focus has been on the health and safety of our employees, guests and the surrounding communities,” said Robert DeSalvio, President of Genting Americas East. “We believe we can achieve these objectives by balancing the expectations of our employees and guests and by delivering a work environment and entertainment experience that is safe and fun for all.”

Safety Plan

Resorts World recently crafted a 21-point safety plan they say meets CDC guidelines and will help to keep their patrons and staff safe.

They'd be reducing the time the casino is open from 24-hours to 20 hours a day (8 a.m. - 4 a.m.). The four hours they're closed would be used to clean and sterilize the facility.

The 332-room main hotel, 101-room Adler Hotel, 2,500- seat RW Epicenter and 48,000-square-foot event center would all remain closed with reopening dates depending on state guidance.

All guests would be required to wear face masks while on property and access will be restricted to portions of the casino floor. Plexiglass and physical distancing panels are installed on select slot machines and table games to help protect team members and guests. Table games will also operate with every other seat or position removed to create space between players.

Over 200 hand sanitizing stations are located on the casino floor and throughout the property. Sanitizing wipes are also provided and placed throughout the facility to allow guests to clean common, highly utilized areas before touching. The RW Clean Team will be regularly deployed to high-touch guest and team member areas for cleaning and disinfecting.

They've reduced food options and seating by temporarily closing seven out of their 11 bars and restaurants.

Employees and guests would undergo a thermal screening upon entry. Anyone with a temperature above 100.4 will not be permitted to enter.

Resorts World will increase the frequency of changing out air filters. Furthermore, they've upgraded the air filtration systems by incorporating MERV 15 air filters.

Density readers would continuously monitor the number of people on the gaming floor and to ensure 50 percent capacity restrictions are met.

Over 1,700 CCTV cameras are used to proactively monitor social distancing remotely with security on site to enforce it. Valet parking and bus service is closed.

Resorts World has also issued new guidelines for all their employees. All will receive training on COVID-19 safety and sanitation protocols. Time clocks will be touchless and employee badges are swiped instead of fingerprints. Employees will undergo mandatory daily health screenings.

“As more information and facts are presented about COVID-19 through trusted government agencies, Resorts World Catskills will apply those findings to continually adapt our operations to protect our employees and guests from the spread of COVID-19,” Taylor said.

Local impact

Like other upstate casinos, Resorts World formed these policies ahead of any concrete date for when they'll be able to reopen.

Last month, Resorts World Catskills notified more than 1,000 workers that their expected temporary layoffs could now extend six months or more and in some cases be permanent due to unexpected delays in reopening.

Speaking of Gov. Cuomo's decision to keep some casinos closed, Town of Thompson Supervisor Bill Rieber Jr. said, “I am seriously disappointed in this decision. These casinos, particularly the Resorts World Catskills Casino, have taken every step reasonably possible to secure the safety of their patrons and employees.

“I have been in the building and find that it would be considerably safer then most any restaurant or grocery store that is currently allowed to open,” he continued. “I would ask that the governor have someone from his staff meet with Casino representatives to see firsthand the precautions they have taken.”