After taking input from team members, Gila River Gaming Enterprises Inc. of Arizona reopened its casinos July 9 with enhanced safety and sanitation procedures.
This casinos—Wild Horse Pass, Lone Butte and Vee Quiva—first reopened May 15, but closed a month later, after a 68-year-old security guard employed at the Lone Butte casino in Chandler died from the coronavirus.
Besides consulting with employees, the company also took input from the Gila River Indian Community Council, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Arizona Department of Health Services.
In a press release, Gila River Gaming CEO Kenneth Manuel said, “These enhanced health and safety measures go beyond CDC and AZDHS guidelines. The safety of our valued team members and guests are our priority … We will continue to adapt and enhance our safety measures to provide the highest level of care and service for our team members and guests.”
Smoking will not be allowed in most areas of the casino, which will close for eight hours daily for deep cleaning. Team members who are at risk will be given paid leave. Employees will be tested for Covid-19 every two weeks, and all will be temperature-screened as they enter.
The gaming floor has been redesigned to maximize physical distancing and cut capacity with slot machine separated by clear barriers.
Manuel added, “We believe that the safety protocols that we are employing will create a safe environment for our guests and team members.”
