Home Travel Hotel search Massachusetts hotel party violated COVID-19 rules, commission says

Massachusetts hotel party violated COVID-19 rules, commission says

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Marc Larocque, The Enterprise
Published 4:24 p.m. ET Aug. 27, 2020 | Updated 4:26 p.m. ET Aug. 27, 2020

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BOSTON – All bets are off when it comes to gambling with public health at casino properties in Massachusetts, after a party inside an Encore Boston Harbor hotel suite attracted more than 100 guests, violating state regulations meant to curb the spread of the coronavirus.

“The stakes are too high for anything but full compliance with those safety standards,” said Massachusetts Gaming Commission Chairperson Cathy Judd-Stein. “I want to remind us all of how critically important it is that we remain vigilant in our efforts.”

The Massachusetts Gaming Commission on Thursday addressed protocol changes at Encore Boston Harbor in light of a party that lasted until 3 a.m. on Aug. 16, when more than 110 people were finally cleared from a hotel suite by security and state police, about three hours after the gathering was first reported to staff by a tipster who saw pictures of the event on Instagram.

Face masks were missing and social distancing guidelines were flouted, said Karen Wells, interim director of the state commission and the director of its investigations and enforcement bureau.

“The majority of them were not wearing masks,” said Wells, delivering a report on the incident to the gaming commission board members, reports The Enterprise, which is part of the USA TODAY Network.

The gaming commission issued an order of noncompliance to Encore Boston Harbor after a swift investigation in concert with state police, requiring the resort casino property to implement measures to make sure its guests comply with the state’s coronavirus public health orders, Wells said. The party organizer, identified as Dorchester resident George Gerez, was charged with disorderly conduct for hosting the gathering and issued a $500 citation for violating the state’s coronavirus pandemic order prohibiting large indoor gatherings, Wells said. Gerez, who had a DJ playing at the late night party, later took to social media with a post sharing a photograph of his $500 fine, stating, “Knew this was coming.”

More needs to be done to make sure that when “red flags” present themselves to Encore staff, in regard to behavior that violates state public health orders, that information is passed on to security to investigate, Wells said.

In addition to the Instagram tip, Wells said a hotel butler observed more than 30 people inside the hotel suite around 12:15 a.m. after being called to the room. The hotel made a call to the room, ordering them to clear out. Surveillance video shows 36 people departing, but the party continued on into the night, Wells said. Judd-Stein said the “egregious” problem was that a lower level employee “did exactly the right thing” by passing on information about the party to higher ups at Encore, but immediate action was not taken.

Encore Boston Harbor pledged to the commission in writing on Friday that it would take additional steps to prevent parties from happening in the first place, beefing up security, monitoring social media and warning guests up front of their new occupancy limits — four people in a hotel room and eight people in a two-bedroom suite. The resort casino in Everett also increased its fine assessed to guests who exceed occupancy limits, jumping from $1,000 to $3,000. Amid the coronavirus pandemic, Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker issued an order earlier this month limiting indoor gatherings to 25 people.

“The safety and well-being of our guests and employees are paramount,” said Rosie Salisbury, a spokesperson for Encore, in an emailed statement on Thursday. “These enhanced measures will help ensure our registered guests are enjoying themselves in a safe and responsible environment.”

Those new protocols and warnings to guests paid off over the weekend, as party organizers ditched their reservations, said Massachusetts Gaming Commission Deputy Director Loretta Lillios.

“Those communications have led to a number of immediate cancellations of guest reservations,” Lillios said. “On the front end, it seems like that measure on the communications plan is helpful.”

Casino security is increasing patrols of hotel hallways and elevators, while monitoring luggage for party supplies, Lillios said. Encore also said it’s undergoing enhanced training and it is bringing back personnel off of furlough to make sure the hotel can implement its new safety measures.

Commissioner Bruce Stebbins said Encore was “extremely vigilant” over the past weekend. Eight different rooms were evicted for breaking the rules and were fined by the hotel, Stebbins said.

“Encore seems to be holding fast to their new rules, and really sticking to their guns,” Stebbins said. “That’s not easy to do with your loyal guests per se. … Word is getting out to the guests.”

Commissioner Enrique Zuniga said the “X-factor” is the compliance of the public. Zuniga also asked the commission to look into whether all guests at a party that exceeds the state’s coronavirus occupancy limits could be fined $500, instead of just the organizer or person who rented the room.

“It would hopefully be a deterrent,” Zuniga said. “It takes many people to act foolishly.”

Stebbins said gambling operations could be suspended again if activities like this continue to take place.

“Don’t be foolish,” Stebbins said. “Don’t jeopardize the livelihoods of all these Encore employees who have been brought back to work.”

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Source : USAToday