Construction work of the casino project in Limassol resumed on Wednesday after COVID-19 lockdown, setting a course to deliver Europe’s largest Integrated Casino Resort (ICR).
Melco, the owner of 75% of ICR Cyprus which is developing and operating the City of Dreams Mediterranean Casino, announced work on the site has picked up from where it left off when a lockdown was imposed in March to stem the spread of coronavirus.
Prioritising the health and safety of its employees, Melco said that is will continue to adhere to all guidelines for the protection of workers on construction sites issued by the Ministries of Labour and Health.
Melco, a world leader in the leisure and entertainment sector, will implement a series of its own stringent measures, transferring its knowledge and expertise to Cyprus to further ensure the safety of workers at the ICR’s construction site.
Specifically, all workers are required to submit an internal health declaration and have temperatures checked at the construction site entrance.
Furthermore, hand sanitizers and disinfectant alcohol are readily available at the site’s gates and office.
Masks will be distributed to all workers daily while offices and shared spaces will be cleaned regularly throughout the day.
Melco said it will be educating workers on pandemic prevention measures and posters will be set up in prominent locations.
Will Cornish, Vice President of Construction at Melco, said: “The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic may have affected our original timeline, but Melco prioritises the safety of our colleagues and project quality”.
Cornish said the company remained committed to the Cyprus project, aiming “to deliver a premium entertainment experience, to offer the highest standards of service whilst ensuring a safe environment for all guests”.
He said the company is aware that the role of the project in the growth of the tourism industry and more broadly in Cyprus’ economy is of vital importance, especially during these challenging times.
“We will work tirelessly to ensure that, following this crisis, the country will emerge as a point of reference for luxury tourism, creating a positive impact for society.”
Cyprus Casinos operates a temporary facility in Limassol plus satellite casinos in Nicosia, Larnaca, Paphos and Ayia Napa.
The €550 mln City of Dreams Mediterranean – Europe’s largest casino resort – was scheduled for launch by the end of 2021, prior to the delay.
ICR Cyprus, through a subsidiary, holds a 30-year casino gaming licence for the Republic.
The licence started from June 2017 and the first 15 years are exclusive to ICR Cyprus.
The temporary casino in Limassol opened in June 2018 – the first such licensed casino venue in Cyprus.
It will continue to operate until the opening of City of Dreams Mediterranean in Limassol.
Upon completion, City of Dreams Mediterranean is expected to have a 7,500-square-metre gaming area comprising over 100 tables and over 1,000 state-of-the-art slot machines, a five-star hotel with approximately 500 rooms, world-class international restaurants and cafeterias, an outdoor amphitheatre and MICE [meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions] and other facilities.
