COVID-19 Update for the Canadian gaming industry
March 16, 2020
MediaEdge Communications is a leader in providing print and digital media products for gaming industry professionals, such as Canadian Gaming Business magazine, our weekly Canadian Gaming Business E-Newsletter, @CdnGamingBiz, and our annual Canadian Gaming Summit
MediaEdge, along with the Canadian Gaming Association, are monitoring the ongoing COVID-19 public-health situation very closely, and deeply care about the Canadian gaming industry. We will continue to provide updates as they’re made available. Please find a series of articles and links below that we find useful.
What you need to know right now
As of early 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared a global state of emergency over the novel coronavirus outbreak that began in China in late 2019.
As of March 17, 2020, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has not declared a state of emergency in Canada, but has announced sweeping travel restrictions, including closing the border to most non-citizens. Travel between the U.S. and Canada is being restricted to essential travel only. Across the country, Canadians are being recommended to self-isolate, and avoid gatherings of more than 50 people.
On Tuesday, March 17, Ontario Premier Doug Ford declared a state of emergency in Ontario, following in the footsteps of Quebec and several municipalities in Alberta to reduce non-essential services in an attempt to prevent the spread of the disease.
As of March 17, 2020, casinos, bingo halls, and other gaming facilities are closed to public in every province. Legal online gaming services such as OLG's PlaySmart are unaffected.
Due to the fast-paced nature of these developments, and responses are varying drastically on municipal, provincial and federal levels, however, we encourage our partners and readers in the foodservice industry to keep vigilant and seek out information relevant to their specific situations.
What you can do right now
- Update and/or create plans for business continuity and emergency preparedness.
As Canada's gaming industry experiences unprecedented disruption due to the coronavirus outbreak, it's imperative for operators to have plans in place to ensure the longevity of their business in both the long and short term. Operators must identify the essential services, skills, and staff required to preserve revenue and mitigate costs where they can, and put policy and procedures place for their eventual return to business.
- Be transparent.
Communicate clearly and frequently with staff, shareholders and customers. As the situation evolves, continue to communicate how your business practices and operations are adapting to new situations.
Province-specific COVID-19 websites