The very same protocols would be implemented. The chairman added that he believed waiting two to three months to reopen would accomplish nothing. “We are not arrogant to believe we are any better suited than anybody else.
“We all understand the dangers and risks associated with what we are doing,” he said, emphasizing that it was employing safety protocols that exceeded guidelines. “We chose today to reopen our facility based on the simple fact that we believe we have incorporated and put into place practices and protocols that ensure the safety of our employees and our guests who choose to come to entertain themselves at the Upper Sioux Community,” Kevin Jensvold, tribal chairman, told reporters at a news conference Monday afternoon. It was limiting customers to no more than 780 people in the 71,000-square-foot facility. The casino reduced its number of slot machines by one half to 584 to allow for social distancing space. Slot machines were separated by plexiglass shields and disinfected whenever a player left. The noon opening was a new normal: Customers had their temperature checked before entering, staff and many customers wore face masks. UPPER SIOUX COMMUNITY - Prairie’s Edge Casino Resort reopened for business on Monday and by so doing is believed to have become the first of the state’s tribal casinos to do so since the COVID-19 pandemic led to temporary shutdowns.
