San Manuel Casino in Highland reopened Monday for the first time since closing in March due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The casino, located at 777 San Manuel Blvd., began welcoming guests back at noon — with new health and safety measures in place to thwart the coronavirus’ spread.
“We have put a lot of thought into enhancing our health and safety for our team members and guests,” said Peter Arceo, the casino’s general manager.
For starters, temperature checks are being conducted at the entrance, and guests or employees with a reading of 100.4°F or higher won’t be allowed to enter, according to the casino’s website.
“As you enter the casino, you are greeted by a health screener. These are professionally trained screeners,” Arceo explained to KTLA. “They ask you a series of questions to make sure you are safe to come in. There’s a two-layer temperature check process.”
There’s also a facial covering requirement for guests on the property, except while dining and smoking.
Capacity will be limited to 2,600 guests, with 2,037 slot machines — less than half of those in the casino — operating. Precautions are being taken to ensure people can maintain physical distancing of at least 6 feet from others, including signage and queue markers, and the removal of chairs in gambling areas.
Visitors will receive a tool allowing them to press slot machine buttons without physically touching it, according to Arceo. The tool includes a pen that is only for that person’s use.
At the 68 open gaming tables, only two positions are allowed at each table, with clear plexiglass installed between the dealer and players to enhance safety. Additionally, cards will be changed out every eight hours while chip cleaning will take place throughout the day and every night, among other measures.
A number of other cleaning measures have been implemented, and 150 hand sanitizing stations are available on the casino floor.
Some restaurants have opened for takeout orders only. Meanwhile, expect bars in the casino to have reduced capacity and other health measures in place, officials say.
San Manuel initially shut down in mid-March and had announced its closure would be extended to June on May 21, even as other Southern California casinos announced plans to reopen.
