Page 9 - Southern California Gaming Guide • June 2021

As of our press time in late April, California’s covid-19 case rate is now the lowest in the continental U.S. and casino employees. Plexiglass shields have been
As more Californians continue to become vaccinated, the governor’s announcement of fully opening
th
the state by June 15 becomes more of a reality.
However; even if you are fully vaccinated, you must still wear a mask and adhere to the basic safety guidelines listed here when visiting casinos — or anywhere, in fact—until herd immunity is reached. Experts generally agree that between 70% and 85% of the population must be protected by vaccination to reach herd immunity. While covid-19 cases throughout Southern California are significantly fewer, Southern California casinos safety protocols still remaininplacefortheirguestandemployeeprotection.
Safety precautions are not options when visiting any Southern California casino. Every requirement is in place to protect everyone who chooses to work in and visit a casino. The requirements here are general for all Southern California casinos and are all about guests and team members feeling and being safe.
Mandatory Face Covering Safety Requirements
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines and the State of California require wearing face coverings in public areas. All Southern California casino guests and employees are required to wear face-coverings. Bandanas, gaiters and face coverings with valves are not permitted in many casinos. Updated CDC guidance and studies that show that coverings such as bandanas and gaiters are not as effective as other kinds of face masks in helping prevent the spread of covid-19.
In fact, recent guidance recommends wearing double masks, even if you are fully vaccinated. On casino floors, if a guest removes a mask, he or she will be requested to replace it by casino personnel. Many casinos will request a guest up to three times to wear their masks, and if they do not comply, they may be asked to leave.
Temperature Checks
At casino entrances team members conduct non- invasive temperature checks using handheld temperature scanners or thermal cameras. Anyone displaying a temperature over 100.0°F will be asked to have a secondary temporal temperature screening. Any employee or guest confirmed to have a temperature over 100.0°F will not be allowed entry and will be directed to the appropriate medical care..
Hand Sanitizer and Cleanliness
All casinos have posted hygiene signs throughout their properties. All casinos have hand-sanitizing stations in most casino areas. Some casinos provide disinfecting wipes upon request.
Social (Physical) Distancing
Social distancing is employed by physical distancing guidelines throughout all casinos with floor markers and signage. At all times, maintain at least a six- foot distance between yourself and other guests
installed at cashier and players club counters and desks, hotel check-ins and other areas including in some casinos, between slot machines.
If you play table games and poker, player positions have been reduced and plexiglass partitions now separate a player from the dealer and other players. Each table is cleaned according to the casino’s safety protocol schedule, frequently every day, according the casino’s safety guidelines.
Buffets and Entertainment
AtmostSouthernCaliforniacasinostraditionalbuffets and entertainment venues are closed until further notice. Those casinos offering entertainment have preset their
venue seating for appropriate social distancing and require wearing a mask to attend.
Resorts/Hotels
Resort hotels are open with safety practices in place, including rigorous cleaning protocols. Some casino resorts have limited services. Check with each casino before you plan to stay.
Smoking
Smokers will find that some casinos have now created dedicated outdoor and indoor areas for smokers’ use. Many casinos do not make it easy to smoke on the casino floor.
Shuttle Bus and Valet Services
Most shuttle bus routes have been temporarily suspended, along with many valet services.
Before You Go
Before you go to a casino, be sure to check the casino’s website—or call—to find out what to expect and what is open. Our guidelines above are not specific for each casino, with the exception of the mandatory temperature checks, face coverings and social distancing.
Featured Casinos Safety Programs
You can check online at featured (advertising) casinos’ websites for their safety programs and current available amenities.
Agua Caliente Casinos AguaCalienteCasinos.com
Casino Pauma CasinoPauma.com
Chumash Casino Resort ChumashCasino.com
Pala Casino Spa Resort PalaCasino.com
Sycuan Casino Resort Sycuan.com
Valley View Casino & Hotel ValleyViewCasino.com
MAY 2021
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA GAMING GUIDE
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