Crown mulls compulsory vaccination for staff and patrons

Crown Resorts is pushing to implement mandatory COVID-19 vaccination for its employees and ban unvaccinated customers from its venues.

The ABC reports that Crown said it was consulting with employees and stakeholders about introducing the rules.

It employs 20,000 people at its resorts and casinos in Australia.

Crown Melbourne and Crown Resorts chief executive Steve McCann said 60 per cent of the company’s employees had already received at least one dose of vaccine.

“This is about protecting every Australian. We want to create a safe environment for people to come to work, and also for our guests to come to enjoy themselves,” he said.

“As such a significant hospitality employer in Australia with resorts that hosted over 30 million visits a year pre-COVID, we need to take measures to help keep people safe. That starts with our employees but also extends to our guests and the broader community.”

The company said 63 per cent of respondents to an employee survey they conducted supported the notion of mandatory vaccination within the hospitality sector.

Crown Resorts said from this week, employees would be entitled to three hours’ paid leave for each vaccination, and an extra day of sick leave if needed.

“COVID-19 has devastated the hospitality industry, and that has been felt acutely by our people,” McCann said.

“Supporting the vaccination target rates set by the government is going to help our industry reopen, stay open and recover faster so we will play our part to help our industry get there.

“We will continue to explore ways to make it faster and easier for our people to come back to work.”

Crown is following other major employers such as Qantas, which have introduced mandatory vaccination policies for employees.

Fruit processor SPC was the first major employer to announce a mandatory vaccination policy in early August.

It’s not only major businesses who are mandating COVID-19 vaccination.

Jabs required for WSOP event

World Series of Poker recently revealed that all players and any other attendees will be required to show proof of full vaccination against COVID-19 before entry to events.

The policy, in place for the duration of this years’ series at the Rio All-Suite Hotel and Casino from September 30 to November 23, will require participants to show proof that they are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 upon first registration to be eligible to participate in any events.

The rule will also apply to all media, spectators and vendors and includes a requirement to wear a face mask at all times.

Reaction from within the poker community appears to be broadly positive although a handful of players have threatened to boycott the event, citing various anti-vaccination rhetoric.

WSOP executive director Ty Stewart said: “This is not a decision we have taken lightly – it is made with no agenda beyond protecting player eligibility and the operations of a unique televised gaming event.

“The nature of poker is to be in close proximity with your opponents for extended periods of time and a seat at the World Series of Poker is a commitment for both our company and the participants.

“We want players to be excited for their return to the WSOP, while offering the greatest level of protection and limiting complications during the tournament.”

To be considered “fully vaccinated” against COVID-19, participants must receive their final vaccine dose 14 days prior to the start date.