New Zealand: Auckland casinos reopen after 100-day pandemic lockdown

Auckland exited a pandemic lockdown after more than 100 days on Friday, and businesses reopened their doors to the public. From casinos to nightclubs and cafes received customers again, moving to a new “traffic light system” based on each area’s level of exposure to COVID-19 and vaccination rates. 

Being the epicentre of the country’s Delta outbreak, Auckland will start at red, making face masks mandatory and putting limits on gatherings at public places. 

SkyCity Casino posted on its official website a message to its customers confirming the reopening date on Friday, December 3, “operating under the ‘red light’ of the new COVID-19 traffic light system”. 

“All guests must present an official ‘My Vaccine Pass’ upon entry. If a guest wishes to present a printed vaccine pass they will also be required to show valid photo identification. Please note you must also scan in via QR code or our entry register and that mask wearing is required at all times,” the casino expressed. 

Back in August, more than 1,200 New Zealanders were forced to self-isolate after a positive COVID-19 case was found to have visited SkyCity Casino. 240 members of the staff were included in that lockdown.