NEWS & NOTES

El Cortez Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas has been nominated as a Battle Born Business by Nevada Governor Steve Sisolak. The award recognizes businesses for their “above and beyond” actions to implement Covid-19 health and safety measures. The El Cortez was the first casino to install plastic shields at tables, while implementing strict sanitation and safety protocols, no-touch thermometer scanning, deep cleaning and disinfecting and removed thousands of porous ceiling tiles and replaced them with non-porous tiles. • Barona Resort & Casino in San Diego County has announced the cancellation of its New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. Blame the pandemic. The casino said it was cancelling the events, “in an abundance of caution and to protect the safety and well-being of players, staff and the greater San Diego community.” General Manager Rick Salinas added, “Our focus is on protecting the health and wellness of our players and staff, and we believe canceling our much- loved New Year’s celebration is in the best interest of our staff, our players and everyone.” • The Blue Lake Casino, operated by California’s Blue Lake Rancheria Tribe, has temporarily closed all restaurants after a beverage staff member tested positive for Covid-19. The tribe says it is working with the Humboldt County health department on contact tracing and rapid testing. November 3 the tribe began offering free Covid-19 tests for tribal members and employees.