New Zealand casinos close due to Coronavirus

The national government raised the alert level from two to four

New Zealand.- The government took measures to fight against Coronavirus and raised the alert level from 2 to 4. All businesses will be close from midnight Wednesday, except for essential services, and this decision includes all casinos.

After the announcement, SkyCity immediately closed all it’s New Zealand casino and entertainment facilities in Auckland, Hamilton, and Queenstown. Its Auckland hotels will remain open temporarily to accommodate guests currently staying in-house.

Shares in SkyCity, New Zealand’s only listed casino operator, have now fallen to $1.59, its lowest point in two years, with Air New Zealand emerging from its trading yesterday at $1.54, also its lowest point.

New Zealand is trying to avoid the spreading of the COVID-19. Last week, authorities closed its borders with the exception of partners and children of New Zealand citizens or residents. According to Asian Gaming Brief, the government has also announced further assistance to businesses with wage subsidies now covering all businesses and that officials are working with banks to develop a loan guarantee scheme. The Reserve Bank is started a major program of quantitative easing to ensure that there is plenty of credit available.