Manila casinos back on COVID-19 alert until the end of January

After the Philippines government decided to keep the COVID-19 alert level at Alert 3 from January 16 until January 31, Manila's casinos will have to continue operating at a limited capacity for the next two weeks. The alert level will then be reviewed, with restrictions possibly remaining. Alert Level 3 prohibits activities that are high-risk for COVID-19 transmission.

Due to an increase in omicron variant cases, the National Capital Region is under its second-highest alert level. The weekend saw 39,000 cases, compared to 29,000 in December.

According to Inside Asian Gaming, Manila's integrated casinos have been allowed to continue operating at 75% capacity, provided that they follow strict COVID-19 safety procedures.

IAG spoke with operators earlier this month and they all stated that their facilities would only be available to fully vaccinated people. Indoor dining, hotel gyms and spas, as well as hair salons and MICE venues, will all operate at 40% capacity. Outdoor dining is at 60% capacity.

A Department of Tourism advisory confirmed that certain tourist establishments in Manila can continue to operate at Alert Level 3. However, they must "diligently verify the vaccination status of their patrons/guests so that only those who are vaccinated are allowed to access the property."

Manila's casinos, which were severely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic in 1999, were granted permission to reopen to 30% capacity to the public on October 16. This was after the government decreased the alert level of the NCR from Level 4 to Level 3.

The Alert Level was reduced from Level 3 to Level 2 on November 5, 2021. It was then raised on January 5.

Other activities are prohibited, including clubs, theaters and karaoke bars. Indoor spaces must be used at 30% indoors and 50% outdoors in MICE venues. This includes funerals and weddings, as well as libraries, galleries, arcades and other events.

Karlo Nograles (the Cabinet Secretary) stated that holiday gatherings have caused an exponential increase in the number of people visiting the country. Also, it was noted that the minimum standards for public health may not have been met. Omicron variant positive cases were also reported among the affected.

It is not the first time that Manila casinos have been closed temporarily. In August, President Rodrigo Duterte declared that the venues would be closing down for a brief period. This was the third time that casinos had been closed in 17 months.

There had also been an increase in coronavirus infections at the time. Solaire Resort and casino, Resorts World Manila and Okada Manila were all involved in the closing.

The Philippines is home to more than 109 million people. The capital of the Philippines, Manila, is home to large numbers of its population.

Image source: Unsplash.com