Officials at Caesars Entertainment announced Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort in Cherokee and Harrah’s Cherokee Valley River casino in Murphy will be closed for two weeks beginning Wednesday, March 18.
A statement from the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians noted, “This decision is a precautionary measure only, made to ensure we are in compliance with local rules and regulations.”
During the closure, the casinos’ 4,000 employees will receive two weeks’ pay and benefits.
Due to the “evolving situation,” a reopening date has not been established, but casino officials said they will continue to monitor the situation.
On Sunday, March 16, tribal leaders had said operations would continue at its two casinos, with the exception of closing the buffet at Harrah’s Cherokee and the cancellation of the April World Series of Poker Circuit Event.
Principal Chief Richard G. Sneed said, “For the general public, I would ask everyone to, first of all, remain calm. We, along with the state of North Carolina and the country as a whole, recognize that hygiene measures and preventative measures are in the best interest not only of the individual communities but the country as a whole. We’re trying to really nip this thing in the bud.”
The previous day, Governor Roy Cooper issued an executive order Number 117 order banning “mass gatherings of more than 100 people across the state.”
