Atlantic City New Jersey

The Casino Association of New Jersey and AtlantiCare have announced a collaboration aimed at developing a comprehensive plan to safely reopen Atlantic City casinos upon the culmination of the Garden State’s stay-at-home order.

The plan by the trade organisation and integrated healthcare system is aimed at assisting the Murphy Administration and regulators in thoughtfully comprehensive plans that prioritise the safety and well-being of employees, guests and wider community.

“AtlantiCare is pleased to partner with the Casino Association of New Jersey to formulate a plan to safely reopen Atlantic City casinos to employees and guests,” explained Lori Herndon, president and CEO of AtlantiCare

“The COVID-19 pandemic has not only threatened our health and safety, it has also threatened the stability of Atlantic City’s gaming and tourism industry, the industry’s workforce and families, and our state and local economies. 

“The Atlantic City gaming industry is a cornerstone of the entire South Jersey economy and reopening it safely at the right time, along with the rest of our shore and regional businesses, must be our shared priority.”

AtlantiCare, which boasts more than 100 locations throughout southern New Jersey, is to provide resources to assist and collaborate with CANJ in the weeks and months ahead. 

This will see the health system share regional healthcare metrics, data, and forecasts, provide guidance on CANJ’s reopening protocols, provide information about the effectiveness of protocols and best practices AtlantiCare adopted within its own health system, and assist with potential collaboration with other healthcare industry partners to benefit New Jersey’s casino industry in addressing COVID-19 on an ongoing basis.

“We are grateful for the support and partnership from AtlantiCare as we devise a safe reopening strategy for the Atlantic City casino industry,” said Steve Callender, president of the Casino Association of New Jersey

“At the Casino Association of New Jersey, our greatest priority is the health and safety of our employees, guests and fellow residents. We want Atlantic City to be ready to open as soon as the government determines it is appropriate to do so.

“That is why we are working with our regional healthcare provider to develop a comprehensive plan that ensures our properties are prepared and ready to reopen when the stay-at-home order is lifted.”

Callender moved on to assert that the Atlantic City casino industry is closely monitoring government policy changes, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines, government mandates, and public health advancements in order to make changes as necessary or appropriate to protocols and procedures.