San Diego County has asked the state for permission to make decisions locally that could allow more businesses to open sooner, but the Governor has not yet granted that authority, nor would tribal lands apparently be covered. Larger venues such as movie theaters are not supposed to open until phase 3, with major crowd-drawing events such as concerts and stadiums in phase 4. Some retail shops can offer curbside pickup, for example, but no customers inside stores. The state has begun allowing some non-essential businesses to reopen, but only in a limited manner in stage 2 of the state’s reopening plan. The article notes that California’s attorney general has previously filed for injunctive relief against a tribe to enforce a public health and safety clause following an altercation in a casino (prior to the pandemic), leading the National Indian Gaming Commission to order a temporary closure.

To date, tribes have voluntarily complied with California and county orders.Īn article published in The National Law Review in mid-March states that during the pandemic, “it is possible that States may take more aggressive actions to enforce the public health and safety provisions in their Compacts” with casinos. However, federal law requires the gaming facilities protect public health and safety. As sovereign nations, Native American tribes generally have jurisdiction over tribal activities on reservation lands. The reopening announcement comes despite state and county bans on gatherings still in place. Guests must wear masks all employees and guests will have non-contact temperature scans before entering. New cleaning protocols include investment in hospital grade UVC germicidal technology. The casino’s website indicates that the casino will close from 3 a.m. Viejas Casino & Resort is the first local casino to announce plans to reopen on May 18 with social distancing. For non-gaming tribes that depend largely on shared revenues from tribes with casinos, some tribal members still live below the poverty level, so the consequences of the shut-down have been severe. In addition to losing gaming revenues, many tribal members also lost their jobs. (San Diego’s East County) – With casinos, hotels and other tribal enterprises shut down since March due to COVID-19 as stay-home orders remain in effect statweide, San Diego’s Native American tribes have been hard-hit economically. Facebook Journalism Project covid-19 reporting.

Viejas casino events calendar 2020