To:
Secretary Paulette Jordan Board Member Brandon Yellowbird Stevens
From: Ernest L. Stevens, Jr., Chairman Jason C. Giles, Executive Director
Danielle Her Many Horses, Deputy Director/General Counsel Chelsea Blake, Legislative Director
Date: May 26, 2020
RE: Tribal Casino Resumption of Operations Tribal governmental gaming remains in flux since the COVID-19 pandemic began in March. Tribal facilities were responsible actors by suspending operations during the pandemic. As cases of transmission have subsided in some locations, some tribal facilities have resumed operations. Attached is a list of tribal facilities that have resumed operations or who have announced plans to reopen. The pandemic is far from over. Dr. Micheal Osterholm, PhD, MHP, Director of University of Minnesota Center for Infectious Diseases says we have only seen 5-15% of the population infected thus far and without a vaccine we will likely end up with 75% of the population infected before “herd immunity” slows the spread. He believes there will be a big spike for COVID-19 infections in the fall. This virus is spread via contact surfaces and human-to-human personal interaction. There is limited evidenced-based information from which to form a true data-driven response. Numerous strategies including COVID-19 testing of employees, temperature screening at entrances, surface disinfecting, plexi-glass shields, every other machine shutdown to promote distancing, handing out masks and sanitizer, limiting numbers of people in facilities and imposing social distancing are being tested by the facilities that have resumed operations. Center for Disease Control (CDC) recently adjusted their guidance to essentially state that contact surface transmission is not as likely as person-to-person contact, Pennsylvania, Arkansas and Nevada have issued casino reopening guidance, some nebulous activity (follow CDC Guidelines) some stringent activity (required masks, plexi-glass barrier requirements, etc.) NIGC’s reopening guidance was mostly generic. There is a need for COVID-19 Best Practices for Indian Gaming and Hospitality training and materials that evolves through lessons learned as we progress into the coming months. Tribal Casino re-openings have experienced some speed bumps in resuming gaming activities. The CDC, NIGC, and OSHA, are all encouraging mandatory mask use by patrons and employees, and implementation of a tracing system for positive virus cases reported at your property. Unfortunately, some tribal properties within in 24 hours of resuming gaming activities had reported positive cases from their employees. NIGA The National Indian Gaming Association urges all properties to proceed with caution in resumption of operations . We have begun a series of no cost trainings specifically geared toward best practices and important
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