Encore Boston Harbor Temporarily Shuts Down Hotel Amid COVID Restrictions

Encore Boston Harbor is reportedly shutting down its hotel temporarily amid new COVID-19 restrictions.

The company confirmed its decision to temporarily close its hotel effective immediately to WCVB on Tuesday. The Everett Casino will remain open, but limited from its usual 24-hour service.

The casino will now operate from none to 9:00 p.m. on weekdays and 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. on weekends. The time changes and closure are in adherence with new COVID-19 restrictions announced by Governor Charlie Baker on Monday.

Baker signed an executive order requiring indoor recreation facilities, theaters, casinos and other entertainment venues to close before 9:30 p.m., while restaurants will be required to stop serving tables at 9:30 p.m., but will still be allowed to provide takeout service after that time, CBS Boston reports.

The state will also have a curfew from 10:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m., beginning at 12:01 a.m. on Friday, which will include certain exceptions, including work or grocery shopping.

The decision comes as Massachusetts continues to see an increase in COVID-19 cases.

Encore has been operating its hotel at a reduced capacity following a four-month closure mandated by the state of Massachusetts during the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in March. The hotel reopened in July and offered hotel rooms only four days per week.