Towers Casino Shut Down
CHURCH ROCK, N.M.
The four casinos operated by the Navajo Nation are closing due to concerns about the coronavirus pandemic.
Steve Sisolak's statewide order last Tuesday shutting down casinos and restaurants for 30 days — which police began enforcing Friday — came after health officials reported the state's. Fire Rock Casino patrons are met with this sign after the Navajo Nation’s four casinos were shut down on March 17 due to concerns over the coronavirus. Posted by Donovan Quintero. Tom Wolf announced an order Thursday afternoon shutting all of Pennsylvania’s casinos for more than three weeks effective Saturday. The governor, who himself tested positive for COVID-19 on Tuesday, joined counterparts in Michigan, Illinois, and Rhode Island who had already shut down their own casino industries to try to stem the rise in COVID-19 cases.
Towers Casino located in Grass Valley posted via social media and their website that they were back in business on Monday. One day later, agents from the state’s Department of Justice raided the facility, shutting them down. Busting Up Casino Operations. The casino shut down Sunday at 10 PM which was the last day they’re allowed to operate before shutting down again per a county health order. (Photo by Keith Durflinger, Contributing Photographer).
The Navajo Nation Gaming board or directors sent a memo temporarily shutting all four casinos — Fire Rock Casino, Twin Arrows Casino, Northern Edge Casino, and Flowing Water Navajo Casino — for three weeks.
Towers Casino Shut Down Games
Prior to approval of the shutdown, at Fire Rock casino patrons’ temperatures were checked at the front entrance with a thermometer.
As a public service, the Navajo Times is making all coverage of the coronavirus pandemic fully available on its website. Please support the Times by subscribing.
See where the virus is on the Navajo Nation now.
How to protect yourself and others.
U.S. Surgeon General shows how to make your own facemask in under 2 minutes. (Video)
Learn more: Why masks work, which masks are best.
Resources for coronavirus assistance
The gaming board said the casinos would reopen on April 6, according to the memo,
Towers Casino
On Monday, President Jonathan Nez said the tribe will lose about $3- to 5 million in casino revenue.
“The health and well-being of our Navajo people is of utmost importance and not just profit,” Nez said.
“We did send a letter to the gaming enterprise, telling them to shut the casinos down,” Nez said. “They’re gonna have to consider losing millions of dollars for closing.”
Vinton Shack and his wife, Valerie Kellestewa, both from Zuni, said they support the casino closings.
“It’s kind of scary,” Shack said. “It’s kind of spreading real quick. It’s all over.”
Shack and Kallestewa said they plan to spend more time with their kids at home.
During the shutdown, gaming employees are to stay in contact with their supervisors.
To date, Nez said there are no confirmed cases reported on the reservation.