Mohegan Sun And Foxwoods To Close For Two Weeks Starting 8 p.m. March 17

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The Mohegan Sun and Foxwoods casinos will close at 8 p.m. Tuesday, March 17, Gov. Ned Lamont’s office announced.

The closures come as part of an ongoing effort to stall the spread of COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus that originated in China and has spread around the world and into Connecticut.

The Mashantucket Pequot and Mohegan Tribal Nations said the casinos will close for two weeks.

“The closing is a historic one for both Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun. Foxwoods opened in 1992 and has never been closed. Mohegan Sun opened in 1996 and has also never been closed to guests,” Lamont’s office said in a prepared statement.

Mashantucket Pequot Chairman Rodney Butler said the decision to close Foxwoods to the public was not easy, but is the right thing to do.

“This is a humbling reflection on the ongoing public health crisis and it is the right decision,” Butler said. ​“Our concern is for health and safety of the community and of the public. The coronavirus is a threat to each and every one of us, and we believe shutting our doors will keep our visitors, employees and the public more safe.”

“Connecticut and our respective tribes have worked collaboratively for decades and this moment in our history is no different,” James Gessner, chairman of the Mohegan Tribe, said. ​“This is a decision that was made to ensure all of our guests, team members, and our partners across Connecticut, especially in our local communities, remain safe. We are successful if the state is successful, and that’s true in all facets, like public health.”

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