Chile policy makers not in a position to allow casino re-openings

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After casino workers from Chile urged authorities to allow them to reopen their businesses in zones currently in Phase 1 and 2 of the restarts, the Chilean Undersecretary of Tourism José Luis Uriarte has issued an official statement explaining that conditions are not in place yet to proceed.

In addition to letters sent by Dreams Casino in Puerto Varas and the Marina del Sol in Chillán, employees of Sun Monticello gathered in the San Francisco de Mostazal commune to urge the reactivation of their facilities.

However, the Undersecretary of Tourism assured that analysis is ongoing to establish if it will be possible to change the protocols to make an exception. He also said that they are not in a position where they can give a straight answer as to when they will be able to reopen.

Uriarte explained the difficulties involved in balancing the need to reactivate the economy while safeguarding people’s health, although he added that they are looking into how other countries have fared. “But for the moment, we are not in a position where we can announce something in relation to making these measures more flexible,” he said.

Additionally, he highlighted that the Government is soon to implement a program to support the tourism industry, saying: “We launched this program through the Production Development Corporation (CORFO), which represents $69m exclusively for the tourism sector and companies with annual sales of $4m.”

Companies interested in receiving financial aid will be able to start the process at the end of February and during March. “These are direct and non-reimbursable transfer funds. It’s a subsidy for these companies and they will also be able to use it as capital,” said Uriarte.