For Immediate Release: October 14, 2020
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Spirit Mountain Casino and COVID-19
We believe that information sharing and transparency is a large part of the COVID-19 response. Therefore, we want to share with everyone that there has been a workplace outbreak of COVID-19 at Spirit Mountain Casino. Although the Oregon Health Authority defines an “outbreak” as, “two or more cases linked to the same worksite who have disease onset in the same 14-day period,” we wanted to communicate with the membership directly:
So, here is what we know:
- There are 5 active cases of COVID-19 with ties to Spirit Mountain Casino. 4 are employees and 1 is a close contact to an employee. These are not employees that work the gaming floor.
- Some individuals were tested here at the Tribal Clinic, others were tested at their own medical providers.
- 3 of the individuals live within the same household. None of the individuals live within the Grand Ronde Community.
- Contact tracing and testing is on-going so the situation may change. All employees and close contacts are currently quarantining at home.
- These swift actions allowed the Tribal, Clinic and Casino staff to quickly contain the situation.
We’re heartbroken that COVID-19 has touched so many members of our tribal family. We place the health and safety of our staff and guests in the highest priority. We have worked to clean and disinfect the areas frequented by these employees; all individuals who were deemed to have close contact with them are being tested for COVID-19 and everyone is quarantining at home as a precaution. Tribal staff is monitoring the patients and working with our partners to continue to monitor the situation.
As unfortunate as these recent cases are, it is also a reminder of the seriousness of this situation. COVID-19 must be taken seriously by each and every one of us. By wearing a mask, practicing social distancing and washing your hands everyone can help us to win the battle against COVID-19.
Additional Information
What is an outbreak?
The Oregon Health Authority defines an “outbreak” as, “two or more cases linked to the same worksite who have disease onset in the same 14-day period.”
When does OHA report a workplace outbreak?
- A business with 30 or more employees has 5 active cases of COVID-19 within a 14-day period. Active cases may be employees or close contacts and family members of an employee.
- The Tribe is self-reporting the Spirit Mountain Casino outbreak because the Tribe’s sovereign status. We believe this information is important are reporting it to remain consistent with the Oregon Health Authority’s practice.
For Immediate Release: August 27, 2020
Temporary Closure of the C-Store
UPDATE September 11th, 7:00am: The convenience store is now open again.
Recent contact tracing has uncovered some positive COVID-19 connections to the C-Store, located in the parking lot of Spirit Mountain Casino. Out of an abundance of caution, the Tribe is closing the C-Store at 8:00pm on August 27, 2020. It will remain closed until further notice. We will take this opportunity to conduct a deep clean of the store while the fuel pumps will remain open for credit card use. The Tribe’s highest priority is the safety of our staff and community. Thank you for working with us during this time.
For Immediate Release: July 2, 2020
Face Masks are Required at Spirit Mountain Casino as of 6:00am Friday, July 3, 2020
Spirit Mountain Casino truly values the health and well-being of our guests and team members.
With the pandemic continuing to change and affect all our lives, whether at work or play, I believe it is imperative at this time to increase our PPE protocols and require all guests and employees to wear face masks until our State and Communities are at a lower risk of contamination by this horrible virus.
We hope you will honor our requests and wear your face mask while enjoying our facility. If you do not have a mask we will have them available for you at our entry ways.
On behalf of the Tribal Council, Board of Directors, and everyone who works at Spirit Mountain Casino; we thank you for your support and understanding during these difficult times.
We hope you will continue to enjoy our facility in a way that we can all stay safe and still have fun.
Thank you for choosing Spirit Mountain as your gaming choice.
Sincerely,
Stan Dillon, General Manager
Spirit Mountain Casino
For Immediate Release: June 4th, 2020
Spirit Mountain Casino Welcomes Back Elders for Monday Meals
Spirit Mountain Casino is excited to welcome back Tribal Elders, and their guest, to enjoy their Monday meal beginning on Monday,June 8, 2020. While Cedar Plank is not operating as a buffet at this time, it's menu is available online: https://www.spiritmountain.com/buffet-plated-menu
For Immediate Release: May 21, 2020
Spirit Mountain Casino and Lodge to Reopen on June 1st, 2020
Spirit Mountain Casino and Lodge will reopen at 6:00 a.m. on Monday,June 1, 2020 and has implemented additional safety measures to protect guests and staff.
The temporary measures include:
- Reduced hours of operation to allow for additional deep cleaning:
Sunday – Thursday 6:00 a.m. – 2:00 a.m.
Friday & Saturday 6:00 a.m. – 4:00 a.m. - Age Restrictions: No one under the age of 21 will be allowed on Spirit Mountain Casino or Lodge properties during the first phase of the reopening.
- Masks: Required at all table games and strongly encouraged for all guests. The Casino will have masks available for guests to wear if they do not have one.
- Thermal temperature scanning at entrances.
- Additional hand sanitizer and sanitizer wipe dispensers throughout the property.
“We’re excited to welcome our guests and employees back to Spirit Mountain Casino,” said Stan Dillon, Spirit Mountain Casino’s General Manager. “We have used this closure as an opportunity to make improvements throughout the property. We want all of our visitors to experience the best of Oregon’s premier gaming destination.”
Spirit Mountain Casino closed on March 18, 2020 as a pre-emptive approach to battling COVID-19 in Oregon. Tribal Council for the Grand Ronde Tribe chose to support the Casino staff during the 74-day closure by paying Casino staff through 400 hours of paid time off.
For Immediate Release: April 2, 2020
Spirit Mountain Casino Remains Closed Until Further Notice
Gambling Spirituality
The Grand Ronde Tribal Council and Spirit Mountain Gaming Inc., are extending the closure of Spirit Mountain Casino until further notice. This closure is the second time Tribal Council has extended the closure.
“Everyday we watch the number of cases of COVID-19 grow across Oregon, the region, and the Country,” stated Grand Ronde Chairwoman Cheryle A. Kennedy. “These closures are one way that we can work to protect our staff, our community, and our guests.”
“Spirit Mountain Casino is using this time to continue the improvements to our facilities,” added Spirit Mountain Casino Manager Stan Dillon. “We’re continuing our remodel of the Lodge, re-vamping our menus, and looking forward to welcoming our guests when the COVID-19 crisis is behind us.”
Tribal Council is continuing to support their staff during these challenging times and unanimously authorized a second allocation of 120 hours of paid time off for Casino and Government employees. In total, Casino and Government employees will have received 240 hours, or six weeks, of paid time off so they can continue to support their families during this time. Grand Ronde Tribal Council and the Spirit Mountain Gaming, Inc. Board of Directors are meeting regularly and will revisit this closure as necessary.
For Immediate Release: March 26, 2020
Gambling Spirit
Spirit Mountain Casino Extends Closure to April 9, 2020
Statement of Grand Ronde Chairwoman Cheryle A. Kennedy and Spirit Mountain Casino General Manager Stan Dillon
The Grand Ronde Tribal Council and Spirit Mountain Gaming Inc., have been closely monitoring the COVID-19 outbreak and have decided to extend the closure of Spirit Mountain Casino until April 9, 2020. This closure is a precautionary measure to help protect the Tribal community, staff, and guests as the COVID-19 outbreak escalates throughout the state, region and Country. The Tribe and Casino’s first priority is the health and safety of everyone that comes to Spirit Mountain Casino. The Casino management and Grand Ronde Tribal Council will continue to monitor the situation and will revisit this decision on a regular basis.
For Immediate Release: March 17, 2020
Spirit Mountain Casino Closes for Two Weeks in Response to COVID-19 Outbreak in Oregon
The Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde will close Spirit Mountain Casino by 11:59pm on March 18, 2020 and will remain closed through April 1, 2020 as a pre-emptive approach to battling COVID-19 in Oregon. The Tribe hopes the closure will help protect the Tribal community, Casino staff, and our guests. Essential personnel will remain on site.
“We pride ourselves as being a caring community who views every individual that walks through our doors as a member of the Grand Ronde family. The Casino staff has done an outstanding job protecting everyone through preventative measures, but the continued growth of COVID-19 in Oregon has made this closure necessary,” explained Stan Dillon, Spirit Mountain Casino’s General Manager.
“These unprecedented times call for unprecedented measures and we all have to do our part to stop the spread of COVID-19,” added Grand Ronde Tribal Council Chairwoman Cheryle A. Kennedy.
Tribal Council wishes to support their staff during these challenging times and has authorized an additional 120 hours of paid time off for all Casino and Government employees. For Casino employees, that pay will include their standard rate with an additional consideration for tips. Grand Ronde Tribal Council and the Spirit Mountain Gaming, Inc. Board of Directors will revisit this closure as necessary.