Oaklawn to reopen Monday at 33% capacity
Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort said Wednesday it plans to reopen its casino at 33% capacity at 9 a.m. Monday, requiring guests to undergo temperature checks, wear masks and not smoke inside the building.
Arkansas Department of Health Secretary Dr. Nate Smith said during the governor’s daily COVID-19 news conference in Little Rock on Wednesday that although he has not yet signed off on Oaklawn’s plan to reopen, he has been “very impressed with the earlier draft.”
“We are still reviewing their plan, although I’ve seen an early draft of it, and it looked very comprehensive,” Smith said. “I think all three of the casinos in our state have really taken this very seriously and have gone to very detailed measures to try and make their facilities really as safe and clean as possible.”
He noted that although nothing is “risk-free,” Oaklawn has done “a lot” to try and ensure that it is risk-free, and the state will continue to work with them on the final version of their plan.
“We are glad the governor has provided us a target date for reopening the casino,” General Manager Wayne Smith said Wednesday in a news release. “We are fully prepared to meet or exceed all recommended health and hygiene protocols. While we understand this timing might not be right for some people, just know we will be ready and safe for you when you are. The health and safety of our guests and team members are of the utmost importance. Of particular interest, on May 2 we concluded a successful race meet, albeit without fans, where we proved that by following strict protocols we could keep our horsemen and staff safe.”
Hot Springs Fire Chief Ed Davis told The Sentinel-Record that fire and building codes allow up to 7,165 people on the casino floor. At 33% capacity, that would allow around 2,364 people on the casino floor. That occupancy figure, however, only includes the casino, not restaurants or service areas associated with the restaurants, according to Davis. Those areas have their own occupancy ratings. The casino area is classified as an assembly occupancy.
Oaklawn Media Relations Manager Jennifer Hoyt said operating at a 33% capacity will allow the casino to “social distance properly along the guidelines set forth by the governor.”
Hoyt noted that Oaklawn has no concerns that the 33% capacity will be met or exceeded. It will be monitored by security and EMTs at the entrance, in
addition to “room counts” conducted hourly that were done during the casino’s operation prior to the pandemic, she said.
Visit Hot Springs CEO Steve Arrison said regardless of the 33% operation capacity restriction for Oaklawn, he still thinks its opening will positively impact tourism numbers.
“We get a lot of questions about Oaklawn and when they are going to reopen, so that’s very good news (that they are reopening) and hopefully we’ll get them to 100% very soon, as well,” Arrison said.
The release said, in accordance with the guidelines set forth by the Arkansas Department of Health, Oaklawn has submitted a plan to operate the casino and food and beverage outlets highlighted by the following:
• Adjusted casino hours will be 9 a.m. to 3 a.m. Sunday through Thursday and 9 a.m. to
5 a.m. Friday through Saturday.
• The casino will operate at
33% of facility capacity.
• The main/front casino entrance will be the single entrance for guests.
• All guests and team members will be required to have noninvasive temperature checks as they enter the facility. Anyone presenting a temperature at or over 100 degrees will not be permitted inside the building.
• Guests will be asked to show ID upon entering should contact tracing be required.
• Guests will be required to wear masks at all times.
• Team members will wear masks at all times.
• Shuttle service will continue with limitations on the number of guests per shuttle.
• Guests will be limited to every other slot machine to ensure social distancing.
• Live blackjack games will be limited to every other seat and no more than three players per table.
• Live craps will be limited to three players per side of each table.
• Live roulette will not be opened at this time.
• Smoking will not be allowed anywhere inside the facility, including the casino.
Oaklawn also said it has continued to meet and exceed CDC and local/state health guidelines for cleaning and sanitizing protocols because of the following:
• The facility has undergone a series of deep cleanings in all areas.
• Oaklawn will increase the frequency of cleaning all public areas during the day.
• The casino will be electrostatically disinfected nightly when it is closed.
• Oaklawn has added additional hand sanitizing stations in all public and office areas.
• Prominently displayed signage regarding social distancing, health and hygiene for guests and team members throughout the property, porte cochère, shuttles and waiting areas.
• All team members will receive training on COVID-19 safety and sanitation protocols.
The Race & Sports Book room and kiosks will remain closed “for the time being.” There will not be any simulcast racing, marketing promotions, events, tournaments, or entertainment, including live bands, “until further notice.”
The Track Kitchen, Silks and Bistro 2705 will be open with the following guidelines:
• The Track Kitchen will be open 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. seven days a week, serving breakfast and lunch.
• Silks will be open 11 a.m. to
10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 11 a.m. to midnight Friday through Saturday.
• Bistro 2705 will be open 9 a.m. to 3 a.m. Sunday through Thursday and 9 a.m. to 5 a.m. Friday through Saturday.
• Guests and team members will be required to wear masks.
• Social distancing, with extra spacing between tables and seating limitations of 10 or fewer per party, will be enforced.
• Menus will be disposable for one-time usage.
• Condiments to be in single-use packets.