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After nearly two months of silent slot machines and empty card tables, several Arizona casinos are starting to reopen their doors — with new sanitation measures in place to ward off COVID-19.
Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino in Maricopa, Fort McDowell Casino near Fountain Hills and Gila River's three casinos reopened on May 15 with limited facilities and new health guidelines. A number of other casinos plan to open on June 1.
© Tom Tingle/The Republic Harrah's Ak-Chin Hotel and Casino in Maricopa is celebrating 25 years. This is the main lobby.For more stories that matter: Click here to subscribe to azcentral.com.
More space between slots at Harrah's
The casino floor opened 9 a.m. May 15 with “social distance measures for the health and safety of casino guests and employees,” according to a news release. Hotel rooms also opened that evening.
Slot machines will be spaced apart and blackjack tables will have limited seating.
Hand sanitizing stations will be available and employees will wear masks.
The poker room, keno and Bingo are not yet opening. The events and conference center, spa and fitness center also will remain closed.
Harrah’s, operated by the Ak-Chin Indian Community, closed on March 17 after Caesars Entertainment announced its 55 worldwide locations would temporarily close.
'One step at a time' for Fort McDowell
Fort McDowell Casino plans to open “one step at a time” paired with an “aggressive new health and sanitation program.” Blackjack restarted on May 15 and Bingo will begin on May 22.
The casino is waiting on federal, state and health agency guidance before reopening poker, according to its website.
Visitors to the casino will be temperature-checked before entry. Employees and guests with temperatures over 100°F will not be allowed to enter.
Plexiglass shields will be installed at counters and floor markings will encourage guests to stand six feet apart. Tables and slot machines will be placed apart and employees will be provided masks, gloves and COVID-19 training.
Gila River casinos will test employees
Gila River’s three casinos — Wild Horse Pass and Lone Butte near Chandler and Vee Quiva near Laveen — all reopened at noon on May 15.
Gila River casinos will limit the number of seats at table games and Bingo sessions. Slot machines are spaced apart with plexiglass shields between machines for social distancing.
Employees will use enhanced cleaning methods for high-touch areas and all machines.
Employees will be tested for COVID-19 before returning to work and will be retested every two weeks.
“We have taken every prudent measure and precaution to create a safe and clean environment,” CEO Kenneth Manuel said in a released statement.
The hotels at Wild Horse Pass and Vee Quiva are scheduled to reopen on June 15.
Other casinos opening June 1
Talking Stick Resort and Casino Arizona in Scottsdale will remain closed until June 1, the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community announced.
Yavapai and Bucky's Casinos in Prescott also plan to open on June 1 at 8 a.m. Machines and tables are laid out to ensure physical distancing, according to the casinos. All employees will complete COVID-19 training before returning to work and will be required to wear masks and gloves. Casino guests will be temperature-screened, checked for a mask (masks will be mandatory) and asked to use hand sanitizer before entering the casinos.
Casino In Fountain Hills Az
Cliff Castle Casino in Camp Verde will reopen 10 a.m. June 1. Following social distancing guidelines, the casino initially will open with a limited number of guests allowed inside and a limited number of slot machines. Face masks will be required for all guests and employees in public areas. The casino will be closed from 2 a.m. to 6 a.m. each day for “deep cleaning and sanitation.”
Desert Diamond Casino in Glendale plans to stay closed “through at least the month of May,” according to its website. The casino has not yet announced a reopening date.
Twin Arrow Casino in Flagstaff has yet to announce a reopening date. The casino is run by the Navajo Nation, which has been hit particularly hard by COVID-19.
Casinos temporarily closed over the course of several days in mid-to-late March as the new coronavirus spread in Arizona. The decision to close was decided individually by each sovereign tribal nation, according to the Arizona Department of Gaming.
Reach the reporter at Alison.Steinbach@arizonarepublic.com or at 602-444-4282. Follow her on Twitter @alisteinbach.
Support local journalism.Subscribe to azcentral.com today.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Phoenix-area casinos begin to reopen with new health measures after COVID-19 closures
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