Colombia: casino and bingo establishments allowed to reopen in Bogotá

Local trade association Fecoljuegos announced yesterday that "thanks to an efficient administration together with great joint efforts carried out with different government officials, including representatives from the Secretariat of Economic Development and the Secretariat of Health, we managed to obtain authorization to reopen casino and bingo establishments in Colombia's capital city. 

In a press conference held yesterday, Mayor Claudia López confirmed that the only businesses which are currently prevented from resuming operations are bars, night clubs, dance halls, and alike. Concerts and massive events behind close doors are also forbidden. According to López, "any business activity which has presented a biosecurity protocol can operate implementing those guidelines, without day limits although capacity and business hours will be limited in accordance with the resolution issued by the Colombia Ministry of Health." Therefore, casinos and bingo halls can reopen.

The Mayor also informed that there will be no movement restrictions. Some sectors will operate under limited hours but they will be able to open their doors every day as long as capacity is controled to allow for two-meter distancing between individuals.

According to Fecoljuegos president Evert Montero Cárdenas, the Mayor's announcement represents an important step in the sector's recovery. "Fecoljuegos, its board of directors, executives and member operators have been working with the commitement and conviction this acitvity requires and with a strength and dedication which have been crucial in this process. We gladly receive these news with great responsibility and we are committed to complying with our biosecurity protocols. We must demonstrate that our industry is responsible and will protect the health and wellbeing of its customers and employees. The sector will recover soon thanks to everyone's joint efforts." 

In order to reopen, operators must register on the city government's website all of the biosecurity protocols the inted to implement at their facilities: https://bogota.gov.co/reactivacion-economica/#registros.

Following the announcement, 532 establishments in the Colombian capital will resume operations, including 515 casinos and 17 bingo halls. Approximatelly 7 thousand employees will get back to work and most importantly, the city will continue receiving funds for its healthcare system, after missing out on 65 billion pesos during the six-month COVID-19 hiatus.