Mississippi casinos to reopen before Memorial Day weekend [View all]

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Associated Press


The Mississippi Gaming Commission says casinos in the state can start reopening May 2
By
The Associated Press
May 14, 2020, 5:15 PM
2 min read

GULFPORT, Miss. -- The Mississippi Gaming Commission said Thursday that casinos in the state can start reopening May 21 — more than two months after the commission closed them because of the coronavirus pandemic.

The reopening is allowed just before the Memorial Day weekend, which usually marks the beginning of the summer tourist season.

Gaming Commission executive director Allen Godfrey confirmed the reopening date to WLOX-TV and the Sun Herald. He said the commission will release an order Friday with safety guidelines, which are expected to include requirements for social distancing between customers and frequent cleaning of slot machines and other equipment.

The commission closed Mississippi's state-regulated casinos March 16. Republican Gov. Tate Reeves has closed other types of businesses to try to slow the spread of the highly contagious virus, and he has allowed many to reopen. He said Thursday that the commission makes the “final and official” decision about reopening casinos.

Read more: https://abcnews.go.com/Health/wireStory/mississippi-casinos-reopen-memorial-day-weekend-70691711