Marina Bay Sands in Singapore closed until August due to COVID-19 alerts

Singapore is tightening its grip on pandemic mandates as The Multi-Ministry Taskforce announces a step back to Phase 2. This recent change prompted a harsher number of COVID-19 regulations that give a massive number of businesses no choice but to close down until late August. The reason for the mass panic is the growing COVID-19 spread linked to the Jurong Fishery Port.  

“In view of the heightened COVID-19 situation in Singapore, Marina Bay Sands will be operating on revised capacities and stricter measures across the property, in support of the government’s latest efforts,” the company stated on their official page. 

Since Marina Bay Sands casino gets no exemption to the reinstated regulations, they were forced to shut down the gambling facility this Thursday, and it will remain closed until August 5. In compliance with the changes, the business will be conducting what they call a “deep cleaning” in the facility. 

Since at least 11 COVID-19 cases were linked to the casino location, the said deep cleaning will involve testing on all workers in the facility, and of course, actual sanitation of the entire indoor gambling area. More specifically, workers will have to undergo Rostered Routine Testing (RRT) that will take place every 14 or 28 days, depending on job profiles and risk exposure. Marina Bay Sands casino promises to uphold unmatched hygiene standards as they reopen in two weeks. 

Thankfully, some of the sections of the resort will remain open as long as they follow a strict set of rules. The three-tower hotel, some Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands mall, and the Sands Expo Centre will be open to guests at a minimal capacity. This excludes most dine-in locations and restaurants, with the exception of take-out services. 

The casino’s reopening rules will require the following,

“All visitors must use the TraceTogether app or Token when they enter the property and before accessing various venues and attractions. Guests are reminded to wear masks at all times, observe the one-meter social distancing rule, and not congregate in groups of more than two persons. Our friendly Safe Distancing Ambassadors will be roving around the property to remind guests of these measures.”

Las Vegas Sands Corp. Chairman and CEO Rob Goldstein is aware of the upcoming revenue dip due to the casino’s sudden closure and had discussed the happenings during the company’s Wednesday phone call with investors. However, he also expressed that he supports the Heightened Alert measures and is investing $3B for a 1,000-suite hotel tower and a 15,000-seat arena at Marina Bay Sands.

Being that Marina Bay Sands casino has four levels of gaming floor space and over 2,300 slot machines, it’s unsurprising that there’s a concern in regards to the revenue changes that will fluctuate considerably within the next two weeks. And although the casino is said to reopen on August 5, it’s possible it will continue suffering losses until later in the month since Phase 2 in Singapore will be in effect until August 18.