SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Multiple tribal casinos in New Mexico have reopened despite recommendations from Democratic Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham to remain closed to limit the spread of COVID-19.
Isleta Casino & Resort in Albuquerque, Ohkay Hotel Casino in Ohkay Owingeh and Taos Mountain Casino in Taos all have reopened with coronavirus-related precautions, The Santa Fe New Mexican reported.
Ohkay Casino Reopening Buffet
'All casinos are strongly, unequivocally encouraged to remain closed at this time, just like other entertainment facilities, due to the risk of COVID-19 spread,' governor's office spokeswoman, Nora Meyers Sackett, said Tuesday. 'Any entity opening a casino right now is exposing patrons and the community in which it is situated to enormous risk of infection and spread.'
Tribal casinos are controlled by sovereign nations, so the state cannot prohibit them from reopening.
- Northern Edge Casino — New Mexico (smokefree per reopening plans- venue still closed) Ohkay Hotel Casino (Pueblo of San Juan) — New Mexico Santa Ana Star Casino and Hotel (Pueblo of Santa Ana) — New Mexico.
- Ohkay Hotel Casino in Ohkay Owingeh, New Mexico announced today that it will reopen on Monday: 'We are super excited to resume gaming on the #CASINO floor on June 15th, 2020 at 7am!!! We are excited to serve you, we are taking extra cleaning precautions!
- Multiple tribal casinos in New Mexico have reopened despite recommendations from Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham to remain closed to limit the spread of COVID-19. Isleta Casino & Resort in Albuquerque, Ohkay Hotel Casino in Ohkay Owingeh and Taos Mountain Casino in Taos all have reopened with coronavirus-related precautions.
Officials at Ohkay Owingeh, Isleta, and Taos refused to comment about the reopening of their facilities. Pojoaque Pueblo's Buffalo Thunder Resort, Tesuque and some tribal casinos within the state remain closed. Through public health orders, Lujan Grisham allowed the reopening of other businesses like restaurants, breweries, gyms, and salons. NEW MEXICO (KRQE) – Some of New Mexico's tribal casinos are reopening despite the governor urging them not to according to the Santa Fe New Mexican. Isleta Casino in Albuquerque, Ohkay Hotel Casino.
The governor's office did not respond when asked if it has spoken with tribal governments about their plans to reopen casinos, or whether it had asked them not to reopen.
Casino officials at Isleta, Ohkay Owingeh and Taos declined to speak about their reopenings.
Tesuque Casino, Pojoaque Pueblo's Buffalo Thunder Resort & Casino outside Santa Fe and other tribal casinos around the state remained closed.
Ohkay Casino Reopening New York
Lujan Grisham through her public health orders has allowed other businesses including breweries, restaurants, salons and gyms to reopen in limited capacities, but the number of coronavirus cases continue to increase. Positive tests surpassed the 10,000 mark Wednesday, and state health officials reported five additional deaths, bringing the total to 452.
The latest cases include another 38 inmates at state and federal lockups.
For most people, the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia and death.
Gamblers across the state will have a chance to try their luck today as some of the tribal casinos reopen to the public for the first time since March.
In Northern New Mexico, Ohkay Hotel Casino's gaming floor will open its doors at 7 a.m. today. Further to the south, Isleta's Casino is opening at 10 a.m. There is no official word when other area casinos will open and although announcements seem to be appearing on social media.
Ohkay closed its doors March 18, along with the Santa Claran Hotel & Casino at the request of state health officials. All of the state's tribal casinos closed their doors in the interests of public health. The move cost the businesses millions of dollars in lost revenue.
According to a June 11 letter from the Ohkay Owingeh Tribal Administration, the decision to reopen the gaming floor was made by the Tribal Council on June 10.
The gaming floor will open at 40% of capacity, the letter states, and all staff members will be required to wear masks. Masks will be strongly urged and provided for casino guests.
Ohkay Owingeh recently announced that their annual feast day celebrations would be cancelled.
Isleta Casino & Resort in Albuquerque, Ohkay Hotel Casino in Ohkay Owingeh and Taos Mountain Casino in Taos all have reopened with coronavirus-related precautions, The Santa Fe New Mexican reported.
Ohkay Casino Reopening Buffet
'All casinos are strongly, unequivocally encouraged to remain closed at this time, just like other entertainment facilities, due to the risk of COVID-19 spread,' governor's office spokeswoman, Nora Meyers Sackett, said Tuesday. 'Any entity opening a casino right now is exposing patrons and the community in which it is situated to enormous risk of infection and spread.'
Tribal casinos are controlled by sovereign nations, so the state cannot prohibit them from reopening.
- Northern Edge Casino — New Mexico (smokefree per reopening plans- venue still closed) Ohkay Hotel Casino (Pueblo of San Juan) — New Mexico Santa Ana Star Casino and Hotel (Pueblo of Santa Ana) — New Mexico.
- Ohkay Hotel Casino in Ohkay Owingeh, New Mexico announced today that it will reopen on Monday: 'We are super excited to resume gaming on the #CASINO floor on June 15th, 2020 at 7am!!! We are excited to serve you, we are taking extra cleaning precautions!
- Multiple tribal casinos in New Mexico have reopened despite recommendations from Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham to remain closed to limit the spread of COVID-19. Isleta Casino & Resort in Albuquerque, Ohkay Hotel Casino in Ohkay Owingeh and Taos Mountain Casino in Taos all have reopened with coronavirus-related precautions.
Officials at Ohkay Owingeh, Isleta, and Taos refused to comment about the reopening of their facilities. Pojoaque Pueblo's Buffalo Thunder Resort, Tesuque and some tribal casinos within the state remain closed. Through public health orders, Lujan Grisham allowed the reopening of other businesses like restaurants, breweries, gyms, and salons. NEW MEXICO (KRQE) – Some of New Mexico's tribal casinos are reopening despite the governor urging them not to according to the Santa Fe New Mexican. Isleta Casino in Albuquerque, Ohkay Hotel Casino.
The governor's office did not respond when asked if it has spoken with tribal governments about their plans to reopen casinos, or whether it had asked them not to reopen.
Casino officials at Isleta, Ohkay Owingeh and Taos declined to speak about their reopenings.
Tesuque Casino, Pojoaque Pueblo's Buffalo Thunder Resort & Casino outside Santa Fe and other tribal casinos around the state remained closed.
Ohkay Casino Reopening New York
Lujan Grisham through her public health orders has allowed other businesses including breweries, restaurants, salons and gyms to reopen in limited capacities, but the number of coronavirus cases continue to increase. Positive tests surpassed the 10,000 mark Wednesday, and state health officials reported five additional deaths, bringing the total to 452.
The latest cases include another 38 inmates at state and federal lockups.
For most people, the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia and death.
Gamblers across the state will have a chance to try their luck today as some of the tribal casinos reopen to the public for the first time since March.
In Northern New Mexico, Ohkay Hotel Casino's gaming floor will open its doors at 7 a.m. today. Further to the south, Isleta's Casino is opening at 10 a.m. There is no official word when other area casinos will open and although announcements seem to be appearing on social media.
Ohkay closed its doors March 18, along with the Santa Claran Hotel & Casino at the request of state health officials. All of the state's tribal casinos closed their doors in the interests of public health. The move cost the businesses millions of dollars in lost revenue.
According to a June 11 letter from the Ohkay Owingeh Tribal Administration, the decision to reopen the gaming floor was made by the Tribal Council on June 10.
The gaming floor will open at 40% of capacity, the letter states, and all staff members will be required to wear masks. Masks will be strongly urged and provided for casino guests.
Ohkay Owingeh recently announced that their annual feast day celebrations would be cancelled.
Along with the announcement concerning the reopening of the casino Tribal Administration explained that visitors were simply easier to control at the casino than at feast day.
'Our feast day activities are a lot more difficult to control visitors, at the casino we have security personnel, surveillance cameras and in general the ability to control the number of guests who enter and the ability to monitor safe distancing practices,' the letter states.
