Derby Lane In St. Pete To Resume Racing, Gaming Operations May 8

ST. PETERSBURG, FL — Derby Lane, another St. Pete business forced to close its doors temporarily due to the coronavirus pandemic, plans to reopen its greyhound racing tracks on May 8 at 12:30 p.m. with many social distancing rules in place. Only the outside mainline area and grandstand will be open, stated a press release. No inside areas will be open at this time.

The Poker Room reopens on Monday, May 11 at 11:30 a.m. and will operate at 25 percent of its capacity. Plexiglass barriers are installed and social distance markers are on the floors in the betting area and at the food stations.

A press release outlines orders to be followed and executed by all patrons, guests and employees:

• All employees will have their temperature checked prior to clocking in for work by their department managers and security personnel if needed. If an employee exhibits a temperature of 100.4 or higher the employee will be told to go home and not return without a doctor’s note clearing them to return to work.
• Employees will wear a mask and protective gloves at all time while on company property.
• Poker dealers will be excused from wearing gloves during conduct of their duties but will have a container of hand sanitizer on their workstation.
• Any employee that exhibits signs or symptoms (coughing, chills, pain, weakness and or fatigue) of being ill will be referred to their manager for evaluation.
• Employees that refuse to cooperate with the above evaluation process will be told to report to Human Resources.

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Patron evaluation procedures for Poker room:

• All patrons, guest and vendors will have their temperature checked prior to being allowed to stay on property. Patrons that refuse this evaluation will be asked to leave property immediately. Security officers will be responsible for temperature checks at the card room entrance.
• All patrons, guest and vendors will be required to wear a mask and protective gloves while on property. If patrons need a mask, St Petersburg Kennel Club will provide them.
• Patrons, guests, and vendors that exhibit signs or symptoms (coughing, chills, pain, weakness and or fatigue) of being ill will be evaluated by a manager for evaluation of remaining on property.

Patron evaluation procedures for open air areas (Main Line, Tarmac, Grandstand seating):

• All patrons, guests, and vendors will have their temperature checked prior to being allowed to stay on property. Patrons that refuse this evaluation will be asked to leave property immediately. Security will be responsible for temperature checks at the main gate area.
• Patrons, guests, and vendors that exhibit signs or symptoms (coughing, chills, pain, weakness and or fatigue) of being ill will be evaluated by a manager for evaluation of remaining on property.
• Masks are recommended, but not required in open areas, but will be required when they enter a building. Patrons will be provided with one if they do not have them.

Derby lane will continue with the live races until December 31, 2020, when the permanent closure happens due to the 2019 passing of Amendment 13 that bans dog racing in Florida.

For more stories about St. Pete taking measures to prevent the rise of coronavirus, visit:

• First Hoots In Florida Opens During Risky Times
• May The Force Of Health Be With You As St. Pete Slowly Reopens
• Keeping St. Pete Kids Fed With Free Food Distribution