KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Ameristar Casino Hotel in Kansas City, Missouri, plans to reopen next week with limited capacity and additional safety measures in place.
Boyd Gaming Corporation, the parent company of the hotel and casino, said Wednesday that gaming and “a limited number of amenities” will resume operations at 11 a.m. on Monday, June 1, pending final regulatory approval.
The property will temporarily operate with limited capacity. Hours will be 9 a.m. to 1 a.m. on weekdays, and 9 a.m. to 3 a.m. on weekends.
“As we get back to business in Kansas City, our top priority will be protecting the health and safety of our guests and our team members through a comprehensive set of safety protocols that fulfill the most stringent requirements set by local, state and federal officials,” Keith W. Henson, senior vice president of operations for Boyd Gaming, said in a news release. “We are eager to welcome back our community and offer our guests a memorable and fun entertainment experience in a safe environment.”
Ameristar Kansas City plans to implement a number of safety measures, including mandatory face coverings and temperature checks for employees; social distancing requirements and capacity restrictions on casino floors and in restaurants; and frequent cleaning and sanitation of high-touch surfaces.
The announcement of reopening plans comes one day after Boyd Gaming confirmed it would lay off 578 employees at its Kansas City location because of the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Late Wednesday afternoon, a spokesman told 41 Action News the company still planned to lay off employees in July, though the exact number of affected employees may change due to the "fluid situation."
"(W)hile we are reopening on June 1, it is very difficult to predict what business levels will look like after we reopen, and how long it will take for business to recover to normal levels," the statement said.
