Casino Tuesday: State Of The States
By Deepti Govind
The $261 billion U.S. casino and gaming industry may have faced one of its toughest years yet in 2020, with most casinos shutting down for months on end due to the Covid-19 pandemic. But, things are already looking better so far this year.
Nearly 90% of all casinos in the country have now reopened for business, including both commercial and tribal properties, according to data compiled by the Casino City Press Gaming Directory. Most states have also relaxed quarantine rules, allowing hotels, restaurants and bars to reopen entirely or partially, The Points Guy blog, which makes for excellent reading, reported.
Meanwhile, the American Gaming Association (AGA) plans to work with President Joe Biden’s administration on policies that can assist the industry, according to Bill Miller, CEO and president of the AGA. The spread of vaccines and rapid testing should help kick-start the return of travel and tourism, Miller said in a Las Vegas Review-Journal report on Jan. 28.
AGA research found one in every three American adult plans to visit a casino this year, the highest rate since the AGA began tracking responses in March. As casinos continue to reopen, here’s a look at how different states are handling quarantine regulations to curb the spread of Covid-19, what’s completely operational, and what isn’t when it comes to hotels, hospitality and the entertainment industry. This is based on data compiled up to Jan. 29 2021 by The Points Guy blog.
Alabama
Quarantine required: No, but many counties still classified high risk
Travel to state: Allowed
Penalties for violation: None
Hotels: Open
Beaches & parks: Open
Restaurants & bars: Open
Alaska
Quarantine required: Yes, unless negative Covid-19 PCR test result provided
Travel to state: Allowed, but travelers have to submit proof of, or take the Covid-19 test on arrival
Penalties for violation: $1,000 to $25,000 in fines and/or a year in jail
Hotels: Open
Beaches & parks: Open
Restaurants & bars: Open
Arizona
Quarantine required: No
Travel to state: Allowed
Penalties for violation: None
Hotels: Open
Beaches & parks: Open
Restaurants & bars: Partially open
Arkansas
Quarantine required: No
Travel to state: Allowed
Penalties for violation: None
Hotels: Open
Beaches & parks: Open
Restaurants & bars: Open
California
Quarantine required: Recommended state-wide, 10 days quarantine for travel to San Francisco, LA County & Santa Clara County
Travel to state: Non-essential travel still discouraged
Penalties for violation: Differs on a county-to-county basis
Hotels: Open
Beaches & parks: Partially open
Restaurants & bars: Partially open
Colorado
Quarantine required: Aspen/Snowmass requires either an affidavit of a negative test taken within 72 hours, or a 10-day quarantine
Travel to state: Allowed, but encouraged to embrace responsible tourism
Penalties for violation: None
Hotels: Open
Beaches & parks: Open
Restaurants & bars: Partially open
Connecticut
Quarantine required: Yes, 10-day self quarantine for anyone traveling to Connecticut from a state other than New York, New Jersey or Rhode Island or from any international destination
Travel to state: Allowed, with quarantine rules; and all travelers to fill out a Travel Health Form before arrival
Penalties for violation: $500 for each violation
Hotels: Open
Beaches & parks: Open
Restaurants & bars: Partially open
Delaware
Quarantine required: No
Travel to state: Allowed
Penalties for violation: Any emergency order issued, if violated, can lead to fines of up to $500 or subject to imprisonment for up to six months for each violation
Hotels: Open
Beaches & parks: Open
Restaurants & bars: Partially open
Florida
Quarantine required: No
Travel to state: Allowed
Penalties for violation: None
Hotels: Open
Beaches & parks: Open
Restaurants & bars: Partially open
Georgia
Quarantine required: No
Travel to state: Allowed
Penalties for violation: None
Hotels: Open
Beaches & parks: Open
Restaurants & bars: Open
Guam
Quarantine required: Yes, mandatory 14-day quarantine at a government facility at traveler’s own expense; transiting travelers will be permitted to pass through Guam as long as they do not leave the airport
Travel to state: Not welcome
Penalties for violation: Fine of not more than $1,000 or imprisonment of not more than one year or both (10 GCA, Chapter 19, §19604 (c) Cooperation
Hotels: Open
Beaches & parks: Open
Restaurants & bars: Partially open
Hawaii
Quarantine required: Yes, unless negative Covid-19 PCR test results are provided from a test taken no more than 72 hours before taking off to Hawaii
Travel to state: Allowed, but all travelers have to register with the Safe Travels program
Penalties for violation: $5,000 fine, a jail time of up to one year, or both
Hotels: Open
Beaches & parks: Open
Restaurants & bars: Open
Idaho
Quarantine required: Yes; 14-day self-quarantine is encouraged, but not required for those coming in from other states or countries with substantial community spread or case rates higher than Idaho
Travel to state: Allowed
Penalties for violation: None
Hotels: Open
Beaches & parks: Open
Restaurants & bars: Open
Illinois
Quarantine required: Yes, for travelers to Chicago from certain states
Travel to state: Allowed
Penalties for violation: Fines of $100–$500 per day, up to a maximum of $7,000
Hotels: Open
Beaches & parks: Open
Restaurants & bars: Partially open
Indiana
Quarantine required: No
Travel to state: Allowed
Penalties for violation: None
Hotels: Open
Beaches & parks: Open
Restaurants & bars: Open
Iowa
Quarantine required: No
Travel to state: Allowed
Penalties for violation: None
Hotels: Open
Beaches & parks: Open
Restaurants & bars: Open
Kansas
Quarantine required: Yes, but only in certain cases
Travel to state: Allowed
Penalties for violation: None
Hotels: Open
Beaches & parks: Open
Restaurants & bars: Open
Kentucky
Quarantine required: No, although it is recommended for certain states and travelers coming in from international destinations
Travel to state: Allowed
Penalties for violation: None
Hotels: Open
Beaches & parks: Open
Restaurants & bars: Open
Louisiana
Quarantine required: No
Travel to state: Allowed
Penalties for violation: None
Hotels: Open
Beaches & parks: Open; but the Mardi Gras parades in New Orleans and St. Tammany parishes have been cancelled while other locales have delayed it until late May
Restaurants & bars: Partially open
Maine
Quarantine required: Yes, unless negative Covid-19 PCR test results are provided from a test taken no more than 72 hours within arrival; or, unless they are from New Hampshire and Vermont
Travel to state: Allowed, Certificate of Compliance to be filled
Penalties for violation: Up to six months in jail, a $1,000 fine and/or civil damages to the state
Hotels: Open
Beaches & parks: Open
Restaurants & bars: Partially open
Maryland
Quarantine required: Yes for 10 days, unless negative Covid-19 PCR test results are provided, except those traveling to the state from Delaware, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia and Washington. D.C.
Travel to state: Allowed
Penalties for violation: Imprisonment for up to a year or a fine of up to $5,000 or both
Hotels: Open
Beaches & parks: Open
Restaurants & bars: Open
Washington, D.C.
Quarantine required: No, but returning residents are required to limit activities and self-monitor for 14 days, or until they receive a negative test result taken 3-5 days after their return
Travel to state: Allowed, but those from high-risk states must get tested within 72 hours prior to travel
Penalties for violation: None
Hotels: Open
Beaches & parks: Open
Restaurants & bars: Partially open
Massachusetts
Quarantine required: Yes for 10 days for those coming from high-risk states, unless negative Covid-19 PCR test results are provided
Travel to state: Allowed but required to fill out a health form on arrival
Penalties for violation: Up to $500 per day
Hotels: Open
Beaches & parks: Open
Restaurants & bars: Partially open
Michigan
Quarantine required: No
Travel to state: Allowed
Penalties for violation: None
Hotels: Open
Beaches & parks: Open
Restaurants & bars: Partially open
Minnesota
Quarantine required: Recommended for 14 days, but not required
Travel to state: Allowed
Penalties for violation: None
Hotels: Open
Beaches & parks: Open
Restaurants & bars: Partially open
Mississippi
Quarantine required: Mandatory only for people who test positive for Covid-19
Travel to state: Allowed
Penalties for violation: None
Hotels: Open
Beaches & parks: Open
Restaurants & bars: Open
Missouri
Quarantine required: No
Travel to state: Allowed
Penalties for violation: None
Hotels: Open
Beaches & parks: Open
Restaurants & bars: Open
Montana
Quarantine required: No
Travel to state: Allowed
Penalties for violation: None
Hotels: Open
Beaches & parks: Open, but since November, only the North Entrance to Yellowstone at Gardiner, MT is open for the winter season. Glacier National Park is open only at its West Glacier entrance. The East entrance borders the Blackfeet Indian Reservation remain closed
Restaurants & bars: Open
Nebraska
Quarantine required: No, but it is encouraged for visitors
Travel to state: Allowed
Penalties for violation: None
Hotels: Open
Beaches & parks: Open
Restaurants & bars: Open
Nevada
Quarantine required: No
Travel to state: Allowed
Penalties for violation: None
Hotels: Open
Beaches & parks: Open, but individual regions may be closed
Restaurants & bars: Partially open
New Hampshire
Quarantine required: Yes 10 days for some visitors; those from Massachusetts, Maine, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Vermont are exempt
Travel to state: Allowed but with restrictions
Penalties for violation: None
Hotels: Open
Beaches & parks: Open
Restaurants & bars: Partially open
New Jersey
Quarantine required: Yes for 10 days; those from New York, Pennsylvania, Connecticut and Delaware are exempt
Travel to state: Non-essential travel still discouraged
Penalties for violation: Some reports suggest a “disorderly persons charge,” which could cost a $1,000 fine and up to six months in jail
Hotels: Open
Beaches & parks: Open
Restaurants & bars: Partially open
New Mexico
Quarantine required: Yes, self-quarantine for 14 days for those coming by air or car
Travel to state: Allowed
Penalties for violation: Non-compliant individuals are subject to involuntary quarantine
Hotels: Open
Beaches & parks: Open
Restaurants & bars: Partially open
New York
Quarantine required: Yes, for 4 days if tested and 10 days if not tested; those from New Jersey, Connecticut and Pennsylvania are exempted
Travel to state: Allowed, but Arriving passengers are required to fill out a self-declaration form
Penalties for violation: Maximum fine is $10,000
Hotels: Open
Beaches & parks: Open
Restaurants & bars: Partially open
North Carolina
Quarantine required: No
Travel to state: Allowed
Penalties for violation: None
Hotels: Open
Beaches & parks: Open
Restaurants & bars: Partially open
North Dakota
Quarantine required: No
Travel to state: Allowed
Penalties for violation: None
Hotels: Open
Beaches & parks: Open
Restaurants & bars: No data
Ohio
Quarantine required: People coming in from states where cases are surging are urged, but not required, to self-quarantine for 14 days
Travel to state: Allowed
Penalties for violation: None
Hotels: Open
Beaches & parks: Open
Restaurants & bars: Open
Oklahoma
Quarantine required: No
Travel to state: Allowed
Penalties for violation: None
Hotels: Open
Beaches & parks: Open
Restaurants & bars: Open
Oregon
Quarantine required: No
Travel to state: Allowed
Penalties for violation: None
Hotels: Open
Beaches & parks: Open
Restaurants & bars: Open
Pennsylvania
Quarantine required: Yes, 10-day quarantine for those over the age of 11 unless they provide a negative Covid-19 PCR test
Travel to state: Allowed
Penalties for violation: None
Hotels: Open
Beaches & parks: Open
Restaurants & bars: Open
Puerto Rico
Quarantine required: Yes, unless negative Covid-19 PCR test results are provided
Travel to state: Allowed but an online Travel Declaration forms must be filled, and travelers from many other countries are banned
Penalties for violation: Mandatory quarantine without proof of negative test
Hotels: Open
Beaches & parks: Open
Restaurants & bars: Restaurants are open
Rhode Island
Quarantine required: Yes, 14-days quarantine unless negative Covid-19 PCR test provided
Travel to state: Allowed but a certificate of compliance must be filled
Penalties for violation: Fine of $100 for a first offense, $250 for a second offense and $500 for a third
Hotels: Open
Beaches & parks: Open
Restaurants & bars: Partially open
South Carolina
Quarantine required: No
Travel to state: Allowed
Penalties for violation: None
Hotels: Open
Beaches & parks: Open
Restaurants & bars: Open
South Dakota
Quarantine required: No
Travel to state: Allowed
Penalties for violation: None
Hotels: Open
Beaches & parks: Open
Restaurants & bars: Open
Tennessee
Quarantine required: No
Travel to state: Allowed
Penalties for violation: None
Hotels: Open
Beaches & parks: Open
Restaurants & bars: Open
Texas
Quarantine required: No
Travel to state: Allowed
Penalties for violation: None
Hotels: Open
Beaches & parks: Open
Restaurants & bars: Partially open
Utah
Quarantine required: No
Travel to state: Allowed
Penalties for violation: None
Hotels: Open
Beaches & parks: Open
Restaurants & bars: Open
Vermont
Quarantine required: Yes, for 14 days or opt to quarantine for seven days and then take a Covid-19 PCR test and receive a negative result
Travel to state: Allowed but with restrictions
Penalties for violation: None
Hotels: Open
Beaches & parks: Open
Restaurants & bars: Open
Virgin Islands
Quarantine required: Yes, but only for those who don’t provide a negative Covid-19 test result on arrival
Travel to state: Allowed but have to submit test results to the U.S. Virgin Islands Travel Screening Portal
Penalties for violation: Mandatory self-quarantine for 14 days or the duration of the person’s stay in the Territory
Hotels: Open
Beaches & parks: Open
Restaurants & bars: Open
Virginia
Quarantine required: No
Travel to state: Allowed
Penalties for violation: None
Hotels: Open
Beaches & parks: Open
Restaurants & bars: Partially open
Washington
Quarantine required: Yes, for travelers from the United Kingdom and South Africa; it is recommended for those from other areas
Travel to state: Allowed
Penalties for violation: None
Hotels: Open
Beaches & parks: Open
Restaurants & bars: Partially open
West Virginia
Quarantine required: No
Travel to state: Allowed
Penalties for violation: None
Hotels: Open
Beaches & parks: Open
Restaurants & bars: Open
Wisconsin
Quarantine required: No, but the health services department urges people to cancel or postpone all travel
Travel to state: Allowed
Penalties for violation: None
Hotels: Open
Beaches & parks: Open
Restaurants & bars: Open
Wyoming
Quarantine required: No
Travel to state: Allowed
Penalties for violation: None
Hotels: Open
Beaches & parks: Open
Restaurants & bars: Open