Following in the footsteps of Crown Resorts, SkyCity Entertainment Group now requires all staff and visitors to its New Zealand casinos and resorts to present proof of full vaccination.
SkyCity’ CEO, Michael Ahearne, announced the vaccine mandate at the organisations’ Annual General Meeting recently as the country nears its 90% vaccination target that will enable the government to do away with lockdowns. A new national ‘traffic light system’ will be implemented in their place, where venues can operate, but under three tiers of restrictions, green, orange and red.
“At all levels, businesses, retail and public facilities will generally be able to remain open for vaccinated people. Accordingly, our intention is that all SkyCity properties in New Zealand will operate as vaccination-only venues when the new framework comes into effect, a decision that has been made with the health and safety of our staff and customers in mind, ” Ahearne said to shareholders.
The operator of Crown Melbourne, Crown Perth and Crown Sydney Australia’s Crown Resorts, advised in September that it was implementing a “no jab, no entry” rule for customers and compulsory COVID vaccination for all employees.
SkyCity’s 2900 employees along with all customers and contractors must now be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 to gain entry to its Auckland, Hamilton and Queenstown sites. Whether or not the same measure will be implemented at its Adelaide property remains to be seen.
Ahearne continued his statements, saying,
“As one of the biggest entertainment venues in New Zealand and a significant employer in New Zealand, we need to take measures to help keep Kiwis safe. While we have existing safety controls in place to mitigate the risk of exposure to Covid-19, public health information and research confirm that Covid-19 vaccines will provide the best protection for our staff and customers.”
“Supporting the vaccination targets set by the Government is going to help our industry reopen, stay open and recover faster, “he concluded.
SkyCity Auckland, the operator’s flagship property, is still closed down at the moment after halting operations on 17 August due to a COVID-19 outbreak in the city.
