The Oneida Daily Dispatch (Oneida, NY)
Oneida Nation Enterprises updates its reopening plan
ONEIDA INDIAN NATION HOMELANDS, N.Y. » After reopening its entertainment and hospitality venues in Upstate New York one month ago, Oneida Nation Enterprises recently announced updates to its “Safer Together” reopening plan.
Officials wrote in a press release, “Oneida Nation Enterprises is introducing updates to its comprehensive Safer Together health and safety plan for its three gaming venues. New measures designed to further increase safety for guests and employees are being included while the enterprise aligns its efforts with the State of New York to combat community spread of COVID-19.”
These updates have taken effect at all Oneida Indian Nation properties, including Turning Stone Resort Casino, Point Place Casino, and YBR Casino & Sports Book, as well as all onsite restaurants and lodging venues. These protocols will also apply at the highly anticipated opening of The Lake House at Sylvan Beach.
Newly implemented updates outlined by Oneida Nation Enterprises include:
• Turning Stone will require 100% face coverings throughout the gaming floors, including Casino Blu and the entire Bingo Hall at Turning Stone. Smoking on the gaming floor will be temporarily prohibited. This decision was made based on new public health recommendations and to ensure consistency in wearing face coverings throughout the entirety of Turning Stone.
• Oneida Nation Enterprises has aligned with the State of New York and its ongoing efforts to limit community spread of the virus. As such, the enterprise will limit access to guests traveling from any of the following 19 states: Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, Utah, Texas, California, Georgia, Iowa, Idaho, Louisiana, Mississippi, Nevada, Delaware, Oklahoma, Kansas, and Tennessee. This new guideline replaces the previous requirement that all guests much come from within a 120-mile radius.
• All Oneida Indian Nation gaming venues will continue to screen guests entering the properties. Any guest from one of the above-listed states will not be permitted to enter any of the venues.
Oneida Nation Enterprises has outlined the following protocols and proven best safety practices that will continue to remain in place at all properties:
• Restaurants limiting occupancy to 50% capacity.
• No shows, concerts, or large gatherings on the premises, with nightclubs remaining closed to the public.
• Enforcement of face coverings and physical distancing wherever possible.
• Enhanced sanitation and cleanliness procedures also remain in effect, including a much higher HVAC changeover level, which exceeds the standards required by commercial code. “This is because we know coronavirus can spread through airborne droplets,” according to the Safer Together plan.
• Gloves required for all employees who are working in direct contact with guests.
• Daily non-invasive contactless temperature checks for all employees and brief survey questions to identify potential exposure to coronavirus.