Log in

Gila River casinos reopening after coronavirus death of employee

Posted 6/30/20

Gila River Hotels & Casinos is reopening its Wild Horse Pass, Lone Butte, and Vee Quiva locations this week after the implementation of enhanced safety procedures and health protocols.

The …

You must be a member to read this story.

Join our family of readers for as little as $5 per month and support local, unbiased journalism.


Already have an account? Log in to continue.

Current print subscribers can create a free account by clicking here

Otherwise, follow the link below to join.

To Our Valued Readers –

Visitors to our website will be limited to five stories per month unless they opt to subscribe. The five stories do not include our exclusive content written by our journalists.

For $6.99, less than 20 cents a day, digital subscribers will receive unlimited access to YourValley.net, including exclusive content from our newsroom and access to our Daily Independent e-edition.

Our commitment to balanced, fair reporting and local coverage provides insight and perspective not found anywhere else.

Your financial commitment will help to preserve the kind of honest journalism produced by our reporters and editors. We trust you agree that independent journalism is an essential component of our democracy. Please click here to subscribe.

Sincerely,
Charlene Bisson, Publisher, Independent Newsmedia

Please log in to continue

Log in
I am anchor

Gila River casinos reopening after coronavirus death of employee

Posted

Gila River Hotels & Casinos is reopening its Wild Horse Pass, Lone Butte, and Vee Quiva locations this week after the implementation of enhanced safety procedures and health protocols.

The decision came after thorough evaluation and enhancement of the Gila River Gaming Enterprise’s safety plan in coordination with the Gila River Indian Community Council and input from team members.

Gila River Gaming Enterprise, Inc. has outlined a comprehensive reopening and safety plan for use throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. The plan incorporates guidance from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Arizona Department of Health Services, and the Gila River Indian Community.

As pandemic safety practices evolve, this plan will adapt and incorporate updated best practices to ensure the highest degree of safety possible.

Department operations, team member health guidance and guest safety are prioritized under this comprehensive plan.

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Gila River Hotels & Casinos will continue to monitor and rely on the latest guidance from the CDC and AZDHS. Gila River Hotels & Casinos will update its safety protocols and procedures as necessary to include best practices as part of their continued commitment to the safety and well-being of team members, guests and the greater community.

“These enhanced health and safety measures go beyond CDC and AZDHS guidelines,” stated Kenneth Manuel, CEO of Gila River Gaming Enterprise, Inc. “The safety of our valued team members and guests are our priority. As a major employer, entertainment provider, and revenue contributor to the Gila River Indian Community and the State of Arizona, we are committed to excellence. We will continue to adapt and enhance our safety measures to provide the highest level of care and service for our team members and guests. We are doing everything we can during these unprecedented times to safeguard public health while also continuing to provide for our team members and the greater community. We continue to mourn the loss of our team member, Robert Washington, and our deepest sympathies and prayers are with his family and loved ones. We believe that the safety protocols that we are employing will create a safe environment for our guests and team members."

Enhanced and additional health and safety measures include:

  • Non-smoking at all properties with designated smoking areas
  • Casino will close from 2am-10am daily for deep-cleaning
  • Providing paid leave of absence for at risk team members
  • COVID-19 testing for team members every two weeks
  • Mandatory temperature checks for team members and guests upon arrival
  • Mandatory face coverings/masks for all team members and guests
  • Extensive disinfection procedures
  • Best available training to protect workers and all visitors
  • Guests will be advised to practice physical distancing
  • Casino floors and gaming tables have been redesigned to ensure physical distancing and reduced occupancy
  • Plexiglass separation enhancements on slot machines
  • 100 total Sanitation Stations on gaming floor and back of house with bright green signage
  • New “Cleaning Alert System” on all slots – allows you to alert a cleaning ambassador if you would like your slot machine cleaned
  • Increased cleaning ambassador team members
  • External cleaning company Landcorp. deep-cleaned all properties including back of house team member areas
  • Ongoing training for continuous and rigorous sanitation measures as best practices evolve