"We acknowledge our responsibility as an employer and entertainment facility to open with an environment that maintains the highest level of recommended health protocols possible," said Louise Cornelius, general manager of Oneida Gaming.

ONEIDA RESERVATION - The Oneida Nation will resume limited operations at three of its casino buildings on May 26, two months after shutting down to halt the spread of the coronavirus.

The Oneida Casino, 2020 Airport Drive, Ashwaubenon; Irene Moore Activity Center, 2100 Airport Drive, Ashwaubenon; and West Mason casino, 2522 W. Mason St., Green Bay, will reopen at 8 a.m. May 26 with slot machine gaming only. The three locations will have additional health and safety measures in place, including plans to close overnight for cleaning. 

"We acknowledge our responsibility as an employer and entertainment facility to open with an environment that maintains the highest level of recommended health protocols possible," said Louise Cornelius, general manager of Oneida Gaming. 

Each Wisconsin tribe is able to set its own guidelines for when and how to resume its gaming operations. Still, the Oneida's announcement Friday aligns with other tribes' general plans to reopen the 26th, one day after Memorial Day, with limited gaming options.   

Visitors will find several changes to food and beverage operations and to gaming areas that are necessary for health and safety purposes and to help patrons stay 6 feet apart in accordance with social distancing guidelines: 

• All guests and employees who interact with customers must wear a mask that covers their nose and mouth.
• Slots will be the only games people can play. No table games or bingo. 
• No smoking inside to improve air quality. 
• Electronic devices at the doors will monitor the number of people in the casinos to avoid capacity issues. 
• Employees be subject to a temperature check and health questionnaire every day.
• Attendants will now assist guests at drink stations that were formerly self-service. 
• Food options will be limited to "grab-and-go" items. 

The three buildings also will close overnight, from 4 a.m. to 8 a.m., to clean the casino and sanitize surfaces. 

Cornelius said the tribe will be able to recall about half of the casino employees it furloughed when it shut down casino operations on March 21. Chad Fuss, Oneida Gaming's chief financial officer, said between 350 and 450 employees would return to work initially with more returning to work as additional operations resume. 

"We are putting the finishing touches on our operations to create an enjoyable, fun-filled environment in the safest manner we can," Cornelius said. "Our goal is to recover our operations in a way that's fun, safe and secure for our guests and team members."

Meanwhile, the Oneida Nation's announced earlier in the day that its safer-at-home declaration continues until June 11.

https://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/story/money/2020/05/15/oneida-casino-reopen-gaming-operations-may-26/5199937002/