Racing resumed at Chippewa Downs in Belcourt, North Dakota on Saturday, August 8. The Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians tribal council approved new Covid-19 health and safety precautions submitted by racetrack management.
Doug Demontigny, chairman of the Outdoor Recreation Development Association, said, “We’re taking this very, very seriously. We have to comply and have to satisfy the tribe that we are making every effort to make this safe and we believe that we are doing that.”
Demontigny said the track requires participants and spectators to follow Covid-19 guidelines approved by the tribal council. These include temperature screenings before entry; mandatory mask-wearing at all times; social distancing; and attendance limited to individuals age 16 or older. Also, only 500 people—staff, participants and guests–will be allowed inside the park including participants.
According to the new rules, guests who do not comply will not be allowed to enter or will be removed from the grounds. Licensed horsemen or personnel who do not comply will be fined $50 for the first offense, $100 for the second and will be removed from the grounds for the third offense.
