However, federal law requires the gaming facilities protect public health and safety. As sovereign nations, Native American tribes generally have jurisdiction over tribal activities on reservation lands.
The reopening announcement comes despite state and county bans on gatherings still in place. Guests must wear masks all employees and guests will have non-contact temperature scans before entering. New cleaning protocols include investment in hospital grade UVC germicidal technology. The casino’s website indicates that the casino will close from 3 a.m. Viejas Casino & Resort is the first local casino to announce plans to reopen on May 18 with social distancing. For non-gaming tribes that depend largely on shared revenues from tribes with casinos, some tribal members still live below the poverty level, so the consequences of the shut-down have been severe. In addition to losing gaming revenues, many tribal members also lost their jobs. (San Diego’s East County) – With casinos, hotels and other tribal enterprises shut down since March due to COVID-19 as stay-home orders remain in effect statweide, San Diego’s Native American tribes have been hard-hit economically. Facebook Journalism Project covid-19 reporting.
