Black River Falls, WI – On Tuesday, May 19, 2020, Ho-Chunk
Nation President Marlon White Eagle announced the first reopening of one of the
Ho-Chunk Nation enterprises.
Ho-Chunk Gaming – Madison was selected to reopen on
Wednesday, May 27, 2002, utilizing an effectual safety and sanitation
plan. The staff at Ho-Chunk Gaming
Madison has implemented and will enforce the utmost health and safety of its
guests and employees.
A health and safety inspection of the Ho-Chunk Gaming
Madison is scheduled for Wednesday, May 20, 2020. Ho-Chunk Gaming – Madison will begin the
recall of required staff to begin introducing gaming play of 400 of 1,300 slot
machines.
Ho-Chunk Gaming – Madison management elected to voluntarily
close their facility on March 17 at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
With Dane County’s Public Health announcement of Forward
Dane yesterday, Ho-Chunk Gaming – Madison is following the advisement for a
cautious reopen. The casino will reopen
with a phased-in process and initially not including the general public.
Preliminary operations will be with limited hours and to
existing Ho-Chunk Gaming – Madison Player’s Club Wisconsin members only.
“As surrounding states still have ‘Stay at Home’ orders in
place, we want to respect that and use effective integration of public health
measures,” said President WhiteEagle.
“We will work within each local municipality to help protect the safety
of our local community.”
Food and beverage operations at the casino will remain
closed during the first phase, WhiteEagle said.
President WhiteEagle issued an Administrative Order on April
16, 2020, requiring everyone within a Ho-Chunk Nation property to wear
face-covering over their noses and mouths and when unable to maintain physical
distancing of at least six feet.
When reopening, all who enter Ho-Chunk Gaming – Madison must
have their temperatures taken. Other
safety measures to be taken are: Plexiglas installed at areas where
transactions occur, hand sanitizer throughout the facility, signage on
prevention policies, and required frequent handwashing of the staff.
To disinfect and sanitize, Ho-Chunk Gaming Madison has
acquired the services of a company to perform two-step disinfection and
long-lasting surface antimicrobial treatment applied with an electrostatic
sprayer throughout the facility. The
application lasts for 30 days before needing reapplication.
“We are doing everything possible within our control for
reasonible opening of our casino,” said Ho-Chunk Gaming Madison Executive
Manager Daniel Brown.
“We look forward to welcoming our loyal guests back to a
safe, recreational environment here at Ho-Chunk Gaming Madison,” Brown said.
“We are looking forward to a successful reopen and will continue to monitor
when it is safe to reopen the next phase of our plan.”
Reopening dates have not been established for other Ho-Chunk
Gaming Wisconsin facilities. The Ho-Chunk
Nation will determine best practices and strategies as to when it will be
feasible.