Casino Morongo Closing

Morongo Casino Resort & Spa 49500 Seminole Dr. Cabazon, California 92230 Toll free: 1-800-252-4499 Local: 951-849-3080 Email: morongo@morongo.com Sign Up For Our Newsletter. The Morongo casino already suffered from the pandemic. The property was closed for two months as part of a mandatory lockdown and has had to stick to strict health and safety protocols issued by state and federal authorities. Nine weeks after it was shuttered due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Morongo Casino, Resort & Spa reopened Friday, drawing in guests who were eager to enjoy the casino again. May 19, 2020 RIVERSIDE (CBSLA) – Albeit with major limitations, the Morongo Casino in the Riverside County community of Cabazon will reopen Friday afternoon for the first time since it closed back in mid-March due to the coronavirus outbreak. FILE — Slot machines sit idle at the Emerald Island Casino on May 2, 2020 in Henderson, Nevada.

Casinos in the Coachella Valley are canceling shows and stepping up their cleaning game to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

This comes as Riverside County on Thursday ordered gatherings of 250 or more people be cancelled, following similar guidance from Gov. Gavin Newsom for events across the state.

Tribes are following the direction of public health officials, though they are sovereign nations, meaning they have the right to govern themselves and are not subject to state or local laws, with a few exceptions.

Meanwhile, on the Las Vegas strip, casinos are starting this week to shut down their buffets or serve customers individually, which could be a sign of things to come.

Here are the measures being taken at casinos in the California desert to prevent further spread of the coronavirus.

Fantasy Springs Resort Casino

Fantasy Springs Resort Casino announced on Thursday afternoon that its March performances — including Pitbull on March 14, Daryl Hall & John Oates on March 21 and Dancing With the Stars on March 28 — would be rescheduled. Ticket holders who cannot attend can get full refunds.

However, all regularly scheduled entertainment at the casino's venues LIT, The Improv, and Twelve will proceed.

Michael Felci, the casino's public relations manager, said on Wednesday that there had not been a decline in daytime or overnight guests. Felci said casino staff was reviewing the casino's contingency plans.

Signs encourage visitors and employees to wash their hands, and hand sanitizer is being distributed throughout the casino floor, hotel and event center.

Felci said potential economic impacts of the virus are of concern but the health of employees and guests takes top priority.

“We're all aware of the potential repercussions — economically, socially — that something like this could have,' he said. 'We're seeing it already. Of course it's a concern.'

Soboba Casino Resort & Hotel

A little outside of the valley, the Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians near San Jacinto announced the cancellation Thursday of a comedy show featuring Colin Jost and Nick Swardson originally scheduled for March 20. Ticket holders have been offered the option of holding their tickets for the future date or getting a full refund.

The casino is also reporting that it's not seeing a 'significant downturn' in business at the Soboba Casino Resort & Hotel, according to casino Assistant General Manager Jason Cozart.

'We are definitely concerned about the possible impacts this situation presents,' Cozart said via email on Wednesday. 'Of course, our tribal members will be impacted, but we are deeply concerned about our team members and the community at large. The Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians is (a) committed partner with the surrounding communities.'

Cozart said casino management is keeping in contact with Riverside County public health officials, and that if events need to be cancelled, the casino will offer full refunds.

The casino has added staff members to the gaming floor to disinfect slot machines and restrooms more frequently, he said. Hand sanitizing stations have also been positioned throughout the gaming floor and all entrances.

Employees are urged to refrain from coming to work if they feel sick and are being sent home if there is any indication of illness, Cozart said. Staff members and guests are being urged to follow guidelines from health officials.

Casino Morongo Cabazon California

The Noli Indian School, which is also on the Soboba reservation, is still open for classes. Middle and high school students commute there from reservations across Southern California.

MorongoCasinoHotel & Resort

The Morongo Casino Hotel & Resort announced on Thursday cancellation of the following events:

• Flogging Molly, March 14
• Marlon Wayans, March 20
• Le Quyen, March 22
• Rob Lowe, March 27

Tickets will be automatically refunded, according to the casino. Auditions for Shark Tank scheduled for March 19 and the Morongo job fair have also been postponed. For questions, call 1-800-252-4499.

There have been no reports of coronavirus exposure or illness at the Morongo Band of Mission Indians' tribal facilities or business enterprises, including the casino resort, according to a written statement sent to The Desert Sun on Thursday.

'At Morongo, the health, safety and wellbeing of our tribal members, team members, guests, and the community are always our top priority,' the tribe said in a written statement. 'We are closely monitoring the situation involving ... the Novel Coronavirus and are adhering to the guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Riverside County health officials.'

The tribe is taking precautions by more frequently cleaning public areas and encouraging employees and guests to follow CDC guidelines, including hand washing for at least 20 seconds, using an alcohol-based sanitizer, and avoiding touching the eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands.

Red Earth Casino

Torres-Martinez Desert Cahuilla Indians sent a similar message to its Red Earth Casino guests on Tuesday with guidelines on prevention from the CDC and local public health officials.

Staff members are disinfecting surfaces at the casino continuously, with a focus on frequently touched surfaces like slot machine handles and armrests, doorknobs, and locks and handrails, according to the email sent to guests. Hand sanitizer and disinfecting wipes have also been placed in high-traffic areas throughout the casino.

The email included a quote from CDC Director Robert Redfield, who said Americans should 'go about and live their normal lives.”

Spotlight 29 Casino

The Spotlight 29 Casino has canceled all of its events scheduled for March in the Showroom, including:

• Bob Marley: One Gunn, March 13
• ABBA: ABBAFAB, March 20
• Rolling Stones: Mick Adams and the Stones, March 27

Full refunds will be offered for these shows. Refunds for tickets purchased online will process automatically, and those who purchased tickets with cash can pick up refunds at the casino box office between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Casino Morongo Closing Stores

A written statement from the casino on Thursday said that staff had 'taken steps to raise our usual standards of cleanliness and health safety' in accordance with federal and state public health guidelines.

The Desert Sun did not receive a response to requests for comment for this story from Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians, Augustine Band of Cahuilla Indians, Pechanga Band of Luiseño Mission Indians, Twenty-Nine Palms Band of Mission Indians, or Cahuilla Band of Indians.

Risa Johnson covers Native American affairs in the Coachella Valley and beyond. She can be reached at risa.johnson@desertsun.com or (760) 778-4737. Follow her on Twitter @risamjohnson.

Casino Morongo Closing Prices

The casino has added staff members to the gaming floor to disinfect slot machines and restrooms more frequently, he said. Hand sanitizing stations have also been positioned throughout the gaming floor and all entrances.

Employees are urged to refrain from coming to work if they feel sick and are being sent home if there is any indication of illness, Cozart said. Staff members and guests are being urged to follow guidelines from health officials.

Casino Morongo Cabazon California

The Noli Indian School, which is also on the Soboba reservation, is still open for classes. Middle and high school students commute there from reservations across Southern California.

MorongoCasinoHotel & Resort

The Morongo Casino Hotel & Resort announced on Thursday cancellation of the following events:

• Flogging Molly, March 14
• Marlon Wayans, March 20
• Le Quyen, March 22
• Rob Lowe, March 27

Tickets will be automatically refunded, according to the casino. Auditions for Shark Tank scheduled for March 19 and the Morongo job fair have also been postponed. For questions, call 1-800-252-4499.

There have been no reports of coronavirus exposure or illness at the Morongo Band of Mission Indians' tribal facilities or business enterprises, including the casino resort, according to a written statement sent to The Desert Sun on Thursday.

'At Morongo, the health, safety and wellbeing of our tribal members, team members, guests, and the community are always our top priority,' the tribe said in a written statement. 'We are closely monitoring the situation involving ... the Novel Coronavirus and are adhering to the guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Riverside County health officials.'

The tribe is taking precautions by more frequently cleaning public areas and encouraging employees and guests to follow CDC guidelines, including hand washing for at least 20 seconds, using an alcohol-based sanitizer, and avoiding touching the eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands.

Red Earth Casino

Torres-Martinez Desert Cahuilla Indians sent a similar message to its Red Earth Casino guests on Tuesday with guidelines on prevention from the CDC and local public health officials.

Staff members are disinfecting surfaces at the casino continuously, with a focus on frequently touched surfaces like slot machine handles and armrests, doorknobs, and locks and handrails, according to the email sent to guests. Hand sanitizer and disinfecting wipes have also been placed in high-traffic areas throughout the casino.

The email included a quote from CDC Director Robert Redfield, who said Americans should 'go about and live their normal lives.”

Spotlight 29 Casino

The Spotlight 29 Casino has canceled all of its events scheduled for March in the Showroom, including:

• Bob Marley: One Gunn, March 13
• ABBA: ABBAFAB, March 20
• Rolling Stones: Mick Adams and the Stones, March 27

Full refunds will be offered for these shows. Refunds for tickets purchased online will process automatically, and those who purchased tickets with cash can pick up refunds at the casino box office between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Casino Morongo Closing Stores

A written statement from the casino on Thursday said that staff had 'taken steps to raise our usual standards of cleanliness and health safety' in accordance with federal and state public health guidelines.

The Desert Sun did not receive a response to requests for comment for this story from Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians, Augustine Band of Cahuilla Indians, Pechanga Band of Luiseño Mission Indians, Twenty-Nine Palms Band of Mission Indians, or Cahuilla Band of Indians.

Risa Johnson covers Native American affairs in the Coachella Valley and beyond. She can be reached at risa.johnson@desertsun.com or (760) 778-4737. Follow her on Twitter @risamjohnson.

Casino Morongo Closing Prices

Morongo News

This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Coronavirus updates: Coachella Valley casinos cancel concerts, sanitize slot machines