Fantasy Springs Resort Casino in Indio has opened to join four other gaming establishments in the desert that were forced to shut their doors in mid-March following Riverside County directives due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Previously, Morongo Casino Resort & Spa, Spotlight 29, Tortoise Rock and the Agua Caliente Resort Spa Casinos in Palm Springs and Rancho Mirage opened on May 22.
The Cabazon Band of Mission Indians amended its State of Emergency order issued on March 17 to pave the way for Fantasy Springs to commence Phase 1 of reopening on June 2. The opening comes with newly instituted health, safety, and social distancing guidelines in place to protect guests, employees and the community at large from potential exposure to COVID-19.
Phase 1 includes:
• Mandatory protective face masks for guests and employees
• Temperature screenings for all guests entering the property
• One-way entrance and exit to the Resort
• Table games and slot machines reduced to 50 percent capacity
• No smoking inside the Resort facilities (designated smoking area outside)
• Quick-service restaurants (Pizza Kitchen, Lique, Starbucks) and The Springs bar reduced to 50 percent capacity
• Play resuming at Eagle Falls with players required to wear masks
• Zero-tolerance policy for all health, safety and social distancing guidelines
“Like many businesses, the coronavirus pandemic forced us to reconsider every aspect of our operation, with the primary focus being the health and wellness of our valued guests and employees,” said Chairman Doug Welmas. “As a result, the Tribal Council decided to err on the side of caution in terms of the timing of our reopening. We will continue to act in the best possible interest of everyone involved during each phase of the process. We can’t wait to welcome everyone back to Fantasy Springs.”
Each operating department, from gaming and entertainment to hotel and food & beverage, has adopted its own specialized set of procedures based on recommendations from the State of California and Riverside County, as well as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Food & Drug Administration, and Environmental Protection Agency. Additionally, BroadSpec — a certified and licensed company specializing in standardized sanitation practices, regulations and curriculum — has been retained to ensure that all CDC and state requirements are met.
Some of those measures include:
• Temperature scanning: All guests will have their temperature taken by a Public Safety Officer using a noninvasive forehead thermometer before entering.
• Social distancing: Responsible social distancing is encouraged throughout the property with ample signage. Occupancy on the casino floor will be reduced to 50 percent.
• Sanitation: Hand sanitizer stations have been installed throughout the property, along with signage encouraging guests to wash their hands frequently.
• Protective wear: All guests and employees are required to wear protective masks while on property. Employees serving food or handling money must also wear gloves.
CBMI will continue to refine these measures as medical experts and government entities provide new information.
Phase 2 of the reopening — including sit-down dining, hotel capacity, retail outlets, bowling and live entertainment — will be announced in the coming days. For more information, visit FantasySpringsResort.com.
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