Updates


Just like you, we are closely monitoring new developments regarding the coronavirus. We have implemented several new policies and procedures, which follow recommendations from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. In addition, Wynn Resorts and Encore have independently engaged as a consultant, Dr. Rebecca Katz, Director of the Center for Global Health Science and Security at Georgetown University Medical Center.

Updated 8/21/2020

Encore Boston Harbor today announced additional measures to reinforce the Commonwealth of Massachusetts’ directives regarding physical distancing and public gatherings.

Effective immediately, the new protocols include:

• A maximum of four people in any hotel room, and a maximum of eight people in a two-bedroom suite;
• All supplies taken to guest rooms monitored to ensure that there are no party materials or excessive quantities of food and beverages;
• Surveillance utilized to monitor hotel hallways and elevator banks to ensure safe physical distancing and room occupancy;
• For any gatherings of more than four people in a hotel room and eight people in a two-bedroom suite, a fine of $3000 issued to the registered guest and all parties evicted;
• Increased security personnel stationed at the hotel elevator banks to ensure only registered guests have access to hotel rooms and that no more than four people are in an elevator at any given time; and
• Security personnel increasing their patrol of hotel floors throughout the night.

Updated 7/9/2020

We are so excited to welcome you back to Encore Boston Harbor. Based on the operational changes required by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the Massachusetts Gaming Commission, you'll notice some differences when you visit us. For example, our guests are required to wear masks that cover the nose and mouth. Guests are expected to maintain social distancing, so our Center Bar and nightclub will remain closed. However you can enjoy beverages when seated and actively engaged in gambling, or when eating in our restaurants. Guests are not allowed to carry or drink beverages while moving about the gaming area. Our casino will operate at reduced capacity (and possibly for limited hours).

For more information, please visit https://www.encorebostonharbor.com/view-our-new-experience or check out our regular updates on Facebook.

In addition, the Governor's guidelines for the Phase 3 opening of businesses apply, including: If you have symptoms of COVID-19, stay home. See https://www.mass.gov/info-details/about-covid-19 for symptoms. Visitors traveling from states other than New England, New York, and New Jersey are expected to self-quarantine for 14 days. Limit the size of your group to no more than 6 people. Practice social distancing and frequent hand washing to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

View our comprehensive Health and Safety Plan here. 

Updated 7/2/2020

Encore Boston Harbor announced today that, pending approval of the Massachusetts Gaming Commission (MGC), it plans to re-open its casino resort on Sunday, July 12, 2020, at 9:00am, as part of the State’s Phase 3 Re-opening Plan.

Updated 6/22/2020

Governor Charlie Baker has launched a comprehensive phased plan to safely reopen the Massachusetts economy, get people back to work and ease social restrictions, while minimizing the health impacts of COVID-19.

Casinos are included in Phase 3, which is targeted to begin as early as July 6. This means that Encore Boston Harbor will reopen sometime after that date. At this time we have no definitive reopening date. Please check back for updates.

Updated 6/1/2020

Governor Charlie Baker has launched a comprehensive phased plan to safely reopen the Massachusetts economy, get people back to work and ease social restrictions, while minimizing the health impacts of COVID-19.

Casinos are included in Phase 3, which means the best-case scenario is that Encore Boston Harbor will reopen sometime in late June to mid-July. At this time we have no definitive reopening date. Please check back for updates.

Updated 5/14/2020

In consultation with the Massachusetts Gaming Commission, Encore Boston Harbor today announced that it will extend its temporary closure until at least Monday, June 1. Please continue to check back for updates.

Updated 5/9/2020

Encore Boston Harbor is temporarily closed for the health of our guests, employees and community.  We have developed a comprehensive health safety program that we are putting in place to prepare for our re-opening.  We have worked closely with a team of leading medical and public health professions on a program that is based on the most effective health safety practices available and, just as important, is clear and transparent to our guests.  The following plan reflects updates as of 5/9.

View Health and Safety Plan

Updated 4/28/2020

In accordance with Governor Charlie Baker's stay at home order and the closure of all non-essential businesses, Encore Boston Harbor today announced that it will extend its temporary closure through May 18.

Updated 4/16/2020

We are monitoring the national incidence of COVID-19 and working closely with our team of public health consultants.  At the appropriate time, we will announce a timeline and plan for re-opening our resorts in Las Vegas and Boston.  The health and safety of our employees, and future guests, will be our top priority.

Updated 4/3/2020

In consultation with the Massachusetts Gaming Commission, Encore Boston Harbor today announced that it will extend its temporary closure until Monday, May 4. Please check back for updates.

Updated 3/25/2020

In consultation with the Massachusetts Gaming Commission, Encore Boston Harbor today announced that it will extend its temporary closure until Tuesday, April 7.

Updated 3/15/2020

For the health and safety of our employees, guests and community, Encore Boston Harbor is temporarily closed.  Please check back for updates.

Updated 3/14/2020

In consultation with the Massachusetts Gaming Commission, Encore Boston Harbor today announced that it will be closed to the public for two weeks. The gaming areas will close beginning 5:59 a.m. on Sunday, March 15.  All other non-gaming operations will cease beginning midnight on Sunday. 

Updated 3/12/2020

Wynn Resorts CEO Matt Maddox announces safety program and policy updates related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

STATEMENT FROM MATT MADDOX, CEO OF WYNN RESORTS

It has been just a week since we announced operational changes designed to keep our guests and employees safe during this global pandemic. In the news, we read of families painfully affected by the coronavirus, and so we quickly instituted paid sick days for any employees that may require physician-mandated quarantine.

We’ve further reflected on the responsibility that businesses such as Wynn Resorts must play during a time like this. In combination with what my team has learned through our meetings with our public health consultants and officials, I’ve recognized we need to temporarily implement fundamental changes to our business.

Every scientific and health authority I’ve spoken to has focused on the need for social distancing, which is to say, creating sufficient space between each of us to impede the spread of the coronavirus. This isn’t simply a good idea; it is essential, and not forever, but certainly for now.

Consequently, Wynn Resorts, beginning throughout this weekend, will temporarily cancel all large entertainment gatherings. This includes our buffets, nightclubs and theaters in Las Vegas and Boston.   We are going to continue to pay our full-time employees that work in these spaces.   We will monitor the situation to determine any additional action that may be required.  

In addition, we will be screening for temperature using non-invasive thermal cameras at all our entrances.   In our gaming areas and dining establishments, we will create appropriate distancing between guests at gaming devices and dining tables, while still delivering the service levels our guests expect and deserve.

I want to thank our employees and business partners for their willingness to join us in making such challenging decisions so quickly.

Updated 3/10/2020

We are in constant communication with our employees to reinforce our sanitization safety procedures in both guest-facing and back-of-house areas. We are sanitizing high-traffic public areas at an increased frequency.

  • Hand sanitizers are located throughout public and back-of-house locations. Sanitizers are refilled and checked regularly.
  • Public touch points, such as handrails, elevator buttons, telephones, faucets, door handles and knobs are cleaned multiple times throughout the day.
  • Surfaces such as front desk, restaurant counters and dining tables are wiped regularly.
  • The casino gaming floor slot machines are wiped and surfaces cleaned multiple times throughout the day.
  • All of our gaming supplies (e.g., chips, dice, cards) are cleaned, refreshed or discarded on an ongoing basis throughout each day.

We have established special precautionary measures.

Safeguarding the health of our guests and employees is of the utmost importance. We have started to take the temperature of guests who are exhibiting symptoms of illness - coughing, sneezing, sweating, etc. With their permission, we are discretely taking their temperature with a non-contact, digital thermometer. Guests with a temperature of 100 degrees or higher will be asked to leave our property and encouraged to seek medical attention for further screening or treatment.

As always, our food and beverage operation will continue to hold itself to the highest standards of hygiene and food-handling practices. We employ an in-house Director of Health and Food Safety who works closely with the City of Everett Health Inspector to ensure these standards are upheld during this time.  As a precaution, we have specific protocols in place for food and beverage including:

  • Increased frequency of sanitation of all shared utensils.
  • Beginning March 12, The Buffet will position culinary staff at each food station to serve our guests, eliminating the need for guests to touch serving utensils. In addition, we are routinely cleaning all hard surfaces and have placed hand sanitizing stations at the entrance for guests to utilize prior to entry.
  • A frequent program of sanitation of work surfaces in back-of-house and high guest traffic areas front-of-house.
  • All food and beverage employees are following a rigorous routine of hand washing.
  • Any employee feeling ill is encouraged to stay at home.

All restaurants will remain fully open and operational during this time.

All departments have implemented hand washing or sanitizing procedures to take place multiple times during the employee’s shift.

  • All employees are instructed each day on correct hand sanitizing procedures, including washing with soap and hot water for a minimum of 20 seconds.
  • Employees are instructed to wash hands before and after eating and before returning to a work area.
  • Table gaming employees are instructed to wash hands after every break before returning to a game.
  • All of the flat surfaces and high touchpoints within all of our guest and employee transportation options (e.g., motor coaches, neighborhood runners, harbor shuttles, car service, limos, employee shuttles) are being sanitized with disinfectants that kill both COVID-19 and flu-like viruses in between every trip.

All Encore Boston Harbor employees are prohibited from reporting to work with a respiratory illness that can be transmitted to others.

  • Employees insured by the company have access to healthcare, many of whom also have access to a 24-hour telemedicine provider.

Here's what you can do to stay healthy:

  • Wash your hands: Do this frequently using soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth: This is a habit for many, but ending it can keep us all safe.
  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick: If you notice that someone is unwell, stay about 6 feet away.

Stay tuned to Encore Boston Harbor:

  • If we implement additional precautions based on new developments and CDC recommendations, we will note them on this page.

We want you to enjoy your stay with us. We assure you we will be attentive and vigilant so you can enjoy your stay in our beautiful resort.