Detroit’s three casinos will finally get the chance to reopen next month, but the news comes too late for thousands of their former staff.

On Wednesday, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer issued an executive order that will allow Detroit’s three commercial casinos – MGM Resorts’ MGM Grand Detroit, Penn National Gaming’s Greektown and the privately held MotorCity – to open Wednesday, August 5, ending nearly five months of pandemic inactivity.

Whitmer noted in her order that the state’s numerous tribal casinos – which, as operated by sovereign entities, aren’t subject to the state’s authority – had managed to reopen without major incident and thus Detroit’s casinos are being trusted to conduct their operations in a similarly responsible manner.

However, as the casinos were warned last month, they will be subject to tough limits on their operations, including a hard cap of 15% of total occupancy limits. Guests will have to wear masks (unless eating or drinking) and guests won’t be allowed to smoke indoors. There is also a moratorium on self-serve food or drink, valet service, coat check and all live entertainment.