Crown Melbourne shuts temporarily amid rise in Covid-19 cases

Crown Melbourne has closed its doors as the state of Victoria enters into a snap seven-day lockdown.

Australia.- Crown Melbourne has been forced to close its doors until June 4 2021 under new Covid-19 countermeasures in Victoria.

The casino operator said restrictions exclude hotel venues, which will continue to operate in a reduced capacity.

The state of Victoria had reported zero cases for almost three months until the new outbreak. The Ministry of Health has reported 12 new cases acquired locally, taking the total number of active cases in Victoria to 34.

According to authorities, during the lockdown, people are allowed to leave home to go shopping for food and supplies or if they are essential workers.

Facemasks are mandatory inside and outdoors and people can only exercise and shop within 5km of their home.

Restaurants, pubs and cafes can provide takeaway services only, while clubs TABs and casinos will remain closed, along with swimming pools, spas, community venues, museums, and other indoor and outdoor entertainment.

In March, Crown Melbourne returned to a 75 per cent capacity limit following a period operating at 50 per cent, or one person per four square meters.

It also turned on electronic gaming machines and table games which were previously switched off.

Fines against Crown Melbourne

The Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation has fined Crown Melbourne AU$22.5m (US$17.3m).

Of that, $12.5m will pay for the regulator’s inquiry into the casino operator. It must also pay an annual Casino Supervisory Levy of AU$5m in both fiscal year 2021 and fiscal year 2022.

Crown Melbourne will also have to pay a levy for fiscal year 2023, but the amount will be subject to further consultation.

The company had previously been fined AU$1m (US$777,305) for not properly analysing foreign high rollers and their junket operators.