The New Year started on a sad note in Ontario, with an announcement that Casino Rama would cease all operations due to COVID-19.
Worrying news has been coming out of Ontario, putting a damper on the previous Festive Season joy. In an announcement made on Monday, Casino Rama has informed the public that it will be ceasing all operations for the time being. The primary reason for the move is Ontario shifting to Step Two of its reopening plan, which, once again, imposes restrictions on casinos.
On Monday, provincial premier Doug Ford announced that Ontario would be reverting to an adjusted version of Step Two of the regional reopening plan. The latest changes include restrictions on indoor facilities like casinos, restaurants, and gyms. Shortly after the news was announced, Gateway Casinos & Entertainment, which operates Casino Rama, informed of the venue’s closure.
Official Closure Statement
Following premier Ford’s announcement of the new restrictions, Gateway Casinos & Entertainment advised that operations at Casino Rama would be suspended on Wednesday, 5 January, at 00h01 am. The spokesperson for Gateway Casinos & Entertainment commented that the health and safety of employees and patrons remain the number one priority, as the company actively contributes to stopping the spread of COVID-19.
Company representative, Robert Mitchell, could currently not provide the details of the precise number of staff members that would be affected by the casino’s closure. The property was preparing for the long-awaited opening of its entertainment centre. However, due to the increased infection rates, shows planned for January and February will be rescheduled.
This was not the only change to the casino’s live shows calendar, with several shows being already rescheduled at the end of December. This was due to Ontario imposing a 50 per cent limit on indoor gatherings for most businesses. Initially, some of the cancelled events were rescheduled for January, although this will no longer go ahead, with the casino fully closing its doors.
