Viejas is the first of four casinos to reopen in San Diego County this week. Author: Kelly Hessedal Published: 5:13 PM PDT May 18, 2020. While San Diego County officials are not planning to block the opening, Michigan state officials appear to have found a way of discouraging one casino from resuming operation. The Island Resort. Four San Diego County casinos will begin reopening this week, two months after temporarily closing due to the coronavirus pandemic. Jamul Casino joins three others reopening - Sycuan Casino. Discover San Diego’s first and luckiest casino, Sycuan Casino Resort located in San Diego, California. Situated just 30 minutes outside downtown San Diego in El Cajon, Sycuan Casino Resort proudly boasts world class accommodations, including live world-class entertainment venues and gaming.

1. Sycuan Casino San Diego Reopening
2. Casino San Diego Open

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By Miriam Raftery

File photo: Sycuan Casino

Updated May 14 with additional information from County Public Health Officer Wilima Wooten

Sycuan Casino San Diego Reopening

May 13, 2020 (San Diego’s East County) – Following Viejas’ announced plans to reopen its casino on May 18, Sycuan and Valley View casinos have unveiled plans to reopen on May 19 and 21. All are on Native American reservations, and each has detailed plans for modifications aimed at protecting safety of the public and guests including face masks, sanitation procedures and social distancing.

However in a press conference today, San Diego County Public Health Officer Wilma Wooten voiced concerns and indicated that the county does not agree with the casinos’ reopening plans. “If. they do open and ignore our request not to open, then we would definitely have to ensure that they put stringent practices in place to help protect the public health. But opening up casinos will cause a risk to our public health. That is very clear; it creates gatherings of individuals,” she stated.

Later she indicated the county has reached out to the federal government to potentially block the casinos from reopening, NPR reports.

Tribal reservations are considered sovereign nations that make their own laws, however state and federal officials do have some powers to intervene if public health is at risk. It remains to be seen whether authorities will allow the casino openings to proceed, or take steps to require modifications or prevent openings.

Casinos provide the primary source of revenue for many tribes as well as employment for tribal members and other workers. All local casinos have been closed since mid- to late-March, depending on the venue.

Sycuan spokesman Adam Day reacted to Dr. Wooten’s remarks. “It’s unfortunate the public health officer chose a press conference to share her concerns, as we informed her of our robust plan nearly a week ago and we have yet to her a response from her or her office,” NBC 7 reports.

Sycuan published a detailed description of its plans for sanitation, social distancing and other health/safety measures to reduce the risk of COVID-19 spread on its website. According to the site Sycuan has partnered with the San Diego-based TruClean company, which has sprayed its antimicrobial-based coating throughout the casino and resort. The coating is internationally registered as a long-term disinfectant that reportedly controls bacteria, viruses, fungi and mold.

Other health protective measures include limiting table games to three players and using only every other slot machine, using plexiglass shields, thermal cameras at entrnces and more. Tribal chairman Cody J.Martinez says Sycuan is doing “everything we can to protect our guests and team members for our reopening.”

The reopening, set to occur in stages, will keep some areas closed during phase one including the resort’s spa, pool and cabanas. There will be no valet parking or room service, though restaurants are set to offer limited dine-in and to-go service, NBC reports.

Valley View Casino in Valley Center has not detailed its health and safety plan online, except to indicate that guests will wear masks and can expect a more “spacious” ambience in the casino, hotel and restaurants.

Viejas Casino & Resort plans to add new cleaning protocols including hospital grade UVC germicidal technology. All employees and guests will have non-contact temperature scans before entering.

The Jamul Casino website states that safety measures and club improvements are “coming soon” but does not list a reopen date. The tribe provided pay and benefits for workers through April 11 after its March 20 closure, with healthcare benefits through the end of May. The Casino’s restaurants are offering pre-packaged meal kits to prepare at home during the closure.

Chairwoman Erica M. Pinto states, on the Casino website, “We are deeply saddened that we have reached the point of having to make these difficult decisions, but they have become unavoidable given the uncertainty we face as to when we will be able to reopen our business. We have and will continue to do everything in our power to create the best possible outcome for our team members, and we look forward to welcoming them back very soon.”

The Campo tribe’s Golden Acorn Casino remains closed, with no mention of reopening on its websites. However its gas station and convenience store remain open.

Barona Resort & Casino has furloughed workers since April 20 and remains closed until further notice, continuing to monitor federal, state and local health updates. The tribe has announced plans to cancel its annual summer's end powwow.

Harrah’s Rincon in Valley Center remains closed until further notice, with shows cancelled through June.

Casino Pauma in North County has been closed since March 15 with no reopening yet announced Pala Casino also remains closed.

Miriam Raftery, editor and founder of East County Magazine, has over 35 years of journalism experience. She has won more than 350 journalism awards from the Society of Professional Journalists, San Diego Press Club, and the American Society of Journalists & Authors. Her honors include the Sol Price Award for responsible journalism and three James Julian awards for public interest reporting from SPJ’s San Diego chapter. She has received top honors for investigative journalism, multicultural reporting, coverage of immigrant and refugee issues, politics, breaking news and more. Thousands of her articles have appeared in national and regional publications.

East County Magazine gratefully thanks the Facebook Journalism Project for support through its COVID-19 Local News Relief Fund Grant Program to help make this reporting possible. #FacebookJournalismProject. You can donate to support our local journalism efforts during the pandemic at https://www.EastCountyMedia.org/donate.

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SAN DIEGO (KGTV) – Barona Resort & Casino is scheduled to reopen Wednesday after being shut down for two months due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Officials said the casino and resort will open its doors to the public at 10 a.m. on May 27.

The reopening will be in phases and includes numerous health and safety measures, as well as “enhanced cleaning protocols,” according to casino officials.

Barona Resort & Casino General Manager Rick Salinas said, “Over the years, Barona has received many accolades throughout the gaming industry and most importantly from our players as being the cleanest and safest casino. We have spent the past two months developing a thoughtful plan which enhances our already robust standards and addresses the COVID-19 pandemic in accordance with all of the applicable guidelines.”

The first phase of the casino’s reopening includes:

Casino San Diego Open

• Temperature checks for guests and staff – inside their vehicles – as they arrive; those with temperatures above 100 or with other symptoms will be asked to leave

• Hand sanitizing required for guests and staff before they enter the facility

• Required face coverings for guests and staff

• No smoking on the property; “Barona’s triple-stage air filtration system will continuously disinfect the air and kill 99% of germs and viruses using germicidal UVC light technology”

• Anyone under 18 will not be allowed on the property

• Every other slot machine will be turned off and chairs will be removed; machines and chairs will be disinfected after each use

• Tables will be limited to three players per game; dice, table rails, and chairs will be disinfected after each use, and players will never have to touch chips due to touchless wagering

• Increased sanitizing and enhanced disinfecting measures will be in place “around the clock”

• Casino officials say: “All staff members will be required to attend PPE/COVID-19 training”

• Social distancing rules and signs will be present throughout the casino and resort property

• Plexiglass dividers put into place in various areas, including cashier cages, food court, and hotel check-in

• All staff will be required to wash their hands before and after breaks and continuously wash or sanitize their hands during their shift

Officials said restaurants -- starting with the Sage Café and food court -- will reopen during the first phase, but the buffet will be closed. Restaurants also remaining closed include Barona Oaks Steakhouse, Italian Cucina, and Plaza Grill.
The hotel will reopen in phases at 35 percent capacity, but officials said the pool, spa, and fitness center will stay closed.

According to officials, “The Barona Creek Golf Club, Pro Shop and snack bar will remain closed with a planned reopening in mid-June.”

The casino’s bussing program is shut down until further notice, officials added.