Last week, the board of directors of the Navajo Nation Gaming Enterprise approved the extended closure of all gaming operations until June 7.
According to the Navajo Times, confirmed Covid-19 cases on the Navajo reservation neared 3,400 last week, and 119 people had died as of Wednesday. On a per capita basis, the coronavirus has hit the Navajo reservation harder than nearly any other place in the U.S.
“During this time of closure, the board of directors also approved keeping all team members on a paid status,” said Quincy Natay, board chairman. Paid health benefits also will continue through the shutdown.
“With 82 percent of our staff enrolled members of the Navajo Nation and residing on the nation, we want to make sure our team did not have to face additional hardships as they continue to do their part by staying home and helping flatten the curve,” said Natay. “We continue to monitor the situation and focus on how gaming can help slow down of the spread of Covid-19 in our nearby communities and region.”
Interim CEO Brian Parrish added, “While we continue to do our part to ‘flatten the curve,’ we’ve also prepared a phased reopening plan with extensive countermeasures so patrons and team members are assured they’ll have a safe and sanitary casino/resort experience to visit once it is prudent to reopen.”
He promised an update within two weeks, and “additional information as to the ‘new normal’ protocols for our gaming and hotel properties.”
The Navajo Nation spans parts of Arizona, Utah and New Mexico.
