In upstate New York and the Oneida Indian Nation has reportedly announced that it is hoping to conduct a phased re-opening of its three tribal casinos from early next month utilizing a strict set of revised safety and health measures.

According to a Tuesday report from The Post-Standard newspaper, the federally-recognized tribe was asked to shutter its flagship Turning Stone Resort Casino as well as its smaller Yellow Brick Road Casino and Point Place Casino from March 16 as part of an effort that was designed to help state health officials stop the spread of a coronavirus strain that has so far killed roughly 94,000 Americans.

Dwindling danger:

However, the newspaper reported that the Oneida Indian Nation is now hoping to take advantage of the waning threat of coronavirus by following the lead of the Cayuga Nation, which runs the Lakeside Entertainment slot machine parlor in the upstate village of Union Springs, and partially re-opening its three venues beginning from as early as June 10.

Detailed defences:

The Post-Standard reported that the Oneida Indian Nation intends to use a plan it has christened Safer Together in reviving operations at its New York properties. This strategy was purportedly prepared by Karen Ramirez, Hospitality Senior Vice-President for the tribe’s Turning Stone Resort Casino, and will require all staff and guests to utilize protective face masks and observe six-feet social distancing protocols.

Ramirez reportedly told the newspaper…

“Creating a healthy and safe environment at our venues is something we have always excelled at, even before coronavirus. We have a very experienced and talented team that specializes in health and safety procedures at our enterprises and we are confident that the comprehensive plan we have put together for re-opening, along with the people we have in place to execute that plan, will ensure the safest environment possible for our employees and guests when we re-open.”

Supplementary safeguards:

The Post-Standard reported that the Safer Together plan is also set to mandate future guests live within a 120-mile radius of the three properties, which will have the effect of excluding visitation from New York City and Buffalo, and require employees in direct contact with the public to wear gloves. Although bars and non-buffet restaurants at the venues are to be partially re-opened, the newspaper detailed that diners will moreover be asked to wear face masks upon entering and place such protections into a complimentary bag while eating.

Further features:

Finally, the newspaper reported that the Oneida Indian Nation’s Safer Together re-opening strategy is due to additionally see the Yellow Brick Road Casino, Turning Stone Resort Casino and Point Place Casino keep all attached concert and entertainment venues shuttered, institute a strict cleaning and sanitation program, conduct daily non-invasive employee temperature checks and refrain from serving food or beverages on their gaming floors.