Twin Arrows Navajo Casino Resort near Flagstaff, Arizona reopened Monday, July 12 after being shut down for 15 months due to Covid-19. The ban on non-residents of the Navajo Nation also was lifted. Navajo Nation Gaming Enterprise Chief Executive Officer Brian Parrish said a grand reopening event is planned for August 1 at all four Navajo casino resorts, which closed on March 17, 2020.
Parrish stated, “It’s been 15 months. We’re very excited about this opportunity to reconnect with all of our patrons.” The closure laid off 1,100 employees at Twin Arrows, he added.
Patrons’ temperatures are being checked and masks are required inside the casinos. Visitors also must present a government-issued I.D., such as a driver’s license, before they may enter the casinos. In addition, a curfew is in effect from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. until further notice.
Parrish said 8 percent of all casino employees have been vaccinated.
“We’re continuing to screen all of our patrons, all of our team members. We’re conducting tests of all of our team members every two weeks. And we’re also educating our team about the importance of getting vaccinated,” Parrish said.
Twin Arrows casino and hotel are operating at 50 percent capacity, Parrish said, with limited hours and social distancing. The buffet, arcade, bingo, pool, fitness center and valet service will remain closed. In addition, he said Navajo New Mexico casinos, including Fire Rock Casino in Church Rock, Northern Edge Casino in Farmington and Flowing Water Casino in Shiprock, all reopened with 25 percent occupancy.
“We’re starting off with 50 percent capacity and we’re gonna stick with that until the nation transitions from the yellow stage to the green stage,” Parrish said.
Navajo Nation Vice President Myron Lizer stated, “Reopening ensures that our Navajo people have jobs to sustain the livelihood of their families and provides income for the entire nation.”
