Wildhorse Resort & Casino in Pendleton has been given the green light to roll the dice once more after what seemed to be a concerning COVID-19 scare involving a staff member was confidently addressed and resolved.
Guests and gamblers can now resume their betting escapades as the casino flung open its doors again on Wednesday afternoon. This comes after a thorough inspection from public health officials, who stamped their approval for the resort to continue its high-stakes operations.
COVID-19 Scare Sends Wildhorse Resort into Protective Overdrive
In a press release marking the reopening, Gary George, the casino’s CEO, emphasized that Wildhorse has gone all-in on sanitary measures. He assured that the safety and health of its team and visitors remain the top jackpot for the establishment.
The chips were down on Monday, as the casino rapidly closed operations due to the presumed positive COVID-19 test of an employee. This decision, orchestrated by the Board of Trustees of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, was aimed at curbing the potential spread and preventing any further cases.
Once the decision was made, Wildhorse immediately sprang into action. The resort commenced thorough cleaning across all its main areas, including the casino floor, the hotel, the Children’s Entertainment center, the arcade, all restaurants, administrative offices, and the Cineplex. No stone was left unturned in this sanitation spree.
To ensure every last poker chip and slot machine handle was germ-free, the casino turned to the Clorox Total 360 System, a top-tier sanitation solution trusted by schools, hospitals, and clinics alike.
Wildhorse confirmed that the employee who had sparked the scare had only limited interaction with other staff members. Their restricted work area had no connection to the kitchen or the main floors, thereby minimizing any potential risk of infection.
Very Low Risk of Exposing Employees – No Risk to Guests
Based on guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control, Wildhorse has asserted that even those who had contact with the employee are at minimal risk of exposure. The casino reassured that guests remain out of harm’s way, with meticulous protocols reducing any risk.
This isn’t the first time a casino has had to put its game face on and temporarily shut down to thwart COVID-19. Not long ago, Indian Head Casino in Warm Springs executed a similar strategy after one of their employees tested positive for the virus.
Casinos are adamant about avoiding a disastrous repeat of the closure that hit Las Vegas hard, forcing its casinos to go dark for a whopping 78 days. This situation dealt a crippling blow to Nevada’s economy and sent shockwaves through the gambling industry. Even though two years have passed since COVID-19’s supposed demise, the specter of the virus looms large, and no one is willing to gamble on safety.
