Resorts World Sentosa (RWS) says it is working closely with the Singapore government on a plan to reopen following the news this week that casinos would not be among the businesses allowed to open again under eased COVID-19 restrictions.
Singapore’s Ministry of Trade and Industry outlined last week a range of businesses that would be allowed to resume normal operations from 2 June 2020, comprising around 75% of the economy, but neither RWS nor Marina Bay Sands were among those.
Contacted by Inside Asian Gaming, RWS said it supports the government’s economic relaunch plans but was working closely with authorities on its own reopening.
“Resorts World Sentosa is aligned with the Singapore Government’s plan to reopen the economy in a safe and sustainable manner,” it said.
“As circuit breaker measures are progressively eased from 2 June 2020, we are working closely with the authorities on our reopening plans to invite our guests back to our resort in a safe manner, in line with Government’s health directives.
“As a SG Clean accredited organization committed to good sanitation and hygiene practices, we will boost health and safety protocols to ensure a safe working environment for our team members and guests when we resume operations.”
Marina Bay Sands has issued a statement of its own in which it pointed to a focus on improving health and sanitization measures during its extended closure period.
“COVID-19 has significantly changed the hospitality world,” MBS said. “Post-pandemic visitor expectations of the ‘new normal’ – public health conditions, sanitization and hygiene standards across the tourism industry will be unlike anything we have experienced before.
“While we remain closed for now, Marina Bay Sands has been working hard to boost our business resiliency and enhance public health after the pandemic. Some 40 taskforces have been set up during the current temporary closure to explore how to improve operations in the post-COVID world, from reimagining our MICE and F&B venue set-up to designing masks and goggles that seek to protect both staff and guests.
“Some 1,000 staff – working in staggered shifts – in security, facilities and cleaning departments have been deployed on site during this period to maintain the cleanliness and safety of our iconic property.
“We aim to create a safe and controlled environment for our guests and Team Members when we re-open, using innovative technologies to redesign the integrated resort’s hardware and customer experience.
“Already certified as an SG Clean venue, Marina Bay Sands is working towards even higher standards of hygiene and sanitization measures above and beyond regulatory requirements.”
