Get vaccinated or stay home
On Monday, August 16, Harrah’s New Orleans casino becomes what is believed to be the first casino in the United States to require proof of COVID-19 vaccination or a negative test for entry. The decision comes not from casino operator Caesars Entertainment, but from the City of New Orleans itself.
Last week, New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell announced a new government policy, mandating proof of at least one dose of vaccine or a negative PCR test within the last 72 hours to participate in certain activities that are considered higher risk for transmission of the virus.
The activities include essentially anything that might be considered or tangential to indoor leisure venues, such as restaurants, bars, concert halls, bowling alleys, indoor sports venues, pool halls, etc. “Casinos, racetracks & video poker establishments” are included on the list. Large outdoor events with more than 500 people and at more than 50% capacity also fall under the mandate.
People are required to wear a mask when indoors with non-household members at all times.
Harrah’s New Orleans visitors can use the LA Wallet app to prove their vaccination status. Those from out of state or those who choose not to use the app can show their original vaccination card, a photocopy (both sides), or a picture on their phone. Other official vaccination records are permitted, as well, as are records of participation in a vaccine trial.
This measure comes as Louisiana has emerged as one of the major hotspots for the current severe wave of the delta COVID-19 variant. The state’s seven-day moving average of new daily cases is 4,263 as of Sunday, well above the January peak of 3,783. And it has come down in the last few days from 5,635.
WPT affected by COVID in Florida
In nearby Florida, the other state that has unfortunately stood out lately as one of the epicenter of the recent COVID surge, bestbet Jacksonville casino postponed the World Poker Tour bestbet Scramble. The Main Event was originally scheduled to begin next weekend.
At the time, Florida’s seven-day moving average of new cases was 21,683. It has since come down to 18,593, still much higher than its peak early this year. On Saturday, though, the state hit a dubious record with nearly 26,000 new cases. This month, Florida set hospitalization records day after day after day. Sunday was the first day in two weeks in which the number of hospitalizations because of the virus declined.
WSOP COVID rule controversy calmed
Over in Nevada, the World Series of Poker is still on for September, but potential participants grumbled last week when Kevin Mathers pointed out WSOP Rule #115, which said that anyone who was within six feet for 15 minutes of someone who tested positive for COVID could be kicked out. Many were already nervous enough to travel to Las Vegas to play in a massive poker tournament during a pandemic, but were willing to chance it if they were vaccinated. But this rule left people wondering if they could lose their buy-in just because they were unlucky enough to be seated next to someone who tested positive.
On Friday, the WSOP clarified the rule, saying that as long as a player was fully vaccinated and was asymptomatic, they would not be disqualified from a tournament if they were in close contact with someone who tested positive.
