Mississippi casinos return to mask mandate

While there is no statewide mandate, some casinos in Mississippi have decided to require the use of masks.

US.- Some casinos in Mississippi are once again requiring that employees wear face masks while working indoors.

The decision follows a recommendation from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and guidance from Mississippi state health officials. 

MGM Resorts and Boyd Gaming have announced they will require their casino workers in Biloxi to use masks while they are indoors regardless of their vaccination status.

The companies operate Beau Rivage and IP Casino Resort respectively. Located just north of Biloxi in D’Iberville, Scarlet Pearl also has the requirement.

Health experts are criticising states with low vaccination rates for a new spike in Covid-19 cases. In Mississippi, only 34.2 per cent of adult residents are fully vaccinated, putting it in the bottom five states. 

Mississippi health officer Thomas Dobbs said: “We always get, ‘What medical conditions do they have? Medical conditions are very common. It could be asthma. It could be eczema. It could be being overweight. Let’s try to protect everyone“.

MGM Resorts’ directive at Beau Rivage said: “Based on the rising COVID-19 cases in Mississippi, MGM Resorts has temporarily updated its employee mask policy. All employees, both vaccinated and unvaccinated, will be required to wear masks effective Thursday, July 29.”

Non-vaccinated guests are required to wear masks, but the casino isn’t requiring proof of vaccination.