Northern Lights Casino Prince Albert (file photo/paNOW)

By paNOW Staff

COVID-19

SIGA casinos to reopen July 9

Jun 30, 2020 | 4:41 PM

All seven Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority (SIGA) casino properties in the province are set to re-open to the public the evening of July 9.

SIGA said the reopening process will start up in a reduced capacity to ensure public health guidelines can be followed. Gaming and food service will gradually enhance based on demand.

“We’re very excited to be able to welcome back our valued guests with our unique brand of First Nation hospitality to our casinos across the province,” said SIGA president and CEO Zan Hansen in a media release.

The Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations (FSIN) Chief Bobby Cameron said the COVID-19 pandemic caused unprecedented times for First Nations communities, organizations and businesses which have all been affected by what he called ‘this invisible enemy.’

“The staff and management of SIGA have been working tirelessly to ensure that all health and safety measures will be in place and strictly followed once the doors reopen,” Cameron said.

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SIGA’s Health and Safety precautionary measures include:

• All team members and guests must pass a pre-screening process prior to casino entry.
• Marks are placed outside and inside the casino to encourage physical distancing.
• All team members and guests must sanitize their hands prior to casino entry.
• All team members and guests are required to wear a mask or face shield.
• Non-contact temperature checks may be administered.
• Hand sanitizer and disinfecting wipes are readily available for all guests.
• High touch areas are cleaned frequently and deep cleans occur every night.
• Slot machines are sanitized every hour and upon request.
• Plexiglass barriers are installed at but not limited to our Players Club desk, cage cashier windows and delis.
• Where possible, close contact and required touchpoints have been eliminated.
• All team members have received training on COVID-19 safety protocols.

Guests in designated smoking areas will be allowed to lower their masks to have a cigarette as long as two metres of physical distancing is maintained. The air filters for the HVAC systems at all of the properties will be replaced more frequently and system cleaning will be increased to maximize fresh air exchange.

SIGA also plans to support contact tracing by requiring guests to check-in prior to entering the casino with their Players Club card or by providing a name and contact number. SIGA said the process would maintain confidentiality of each guest, while providing a peace of mind there will be an attempt to contact them if a probable or confirmed case of COVID-19 is reported at or near one of the casinos.

On July 9, the casinos will not open until 6 p.m. Otherwise, the operating hours for each SIGA casino will be from 10 a.m. to 2 a.m. with the exception of Gold Horse Casino and Living Sky Casino which will operate from noon to 2 a.m.

The government’s Re-Open Saskatchewan plan for casinos on July 9 applies to Casino Moose Jaw and Casino Regina. Bingo halls are able to re-open for business as well..

Racetracks and rodeo-related activities are targeted to resume on July 16.

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panews@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @princealbertnow