Whenever they get the green light, there will be plenty at stake, including the casinos’ reputations and the safety of thousands of guests. Moving through the reopening stages has been predicated on declines in the number of new COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations and deaths, as well as expanded testing, contact tracing, hospital capacity and personal protective equipment supplies.
Stage three would allow large social gatherings, fewer restrictions on visitors at nursing homes and hospitals, and the reopening of entertainment venues. Stage two would allow larger social gatherings, indoor gym classes and religious services, and restaurant and bar service with restrictions. It’s not clear whether the state will consider casinos for the second or third stage. That first-stage began last week, but local governments are allowed to keep some limitations in place as they have in Baltimore City, home to a Horseshoe casino Anne Arundel County, home to Live casino and Prince George’s County, home of the MGM National Harbor Resort & Casino. Hogan announced a three-stage plan for Maryland’s eventual reopening in late April, starting with lifting the stay-at-home order and allowing more recreation activities and some stores and services to reopen on a restricted basis.
