Emerald Queen Casino locations close for 2 weeks in response to coronavirus pandemic
Both Emerald Queen Casino locations in Pierce County will close for two weeks as the Puyallup Tribe restricts non-essential government operations, the Tribe said Monday.
“... curtailing non-essential government operations for two weeks (begins) at midnight on Monday, March 16,” the Tribe said in a press release. “Tribal government and casino staff will reassess conditions toward the end of the two-week period and determine how to proceed.”
The statement also said that the Tribal Council is preparing a declaration of a public health emergency.
“The health and safety of our community and its Tribal members, employees, customers and neighbors, is our first priority,” the council said in the press release. “Daily, we have regularly consulted with public health experts and followed their guidance, and their guidance is clear — with the explosion of COVID-19 in recent days, we need to move fast and increase social distancing to slow the spread of this virus.”
Employees will still get their wages and benefits.
Tribal members can call PuyallupTribe-nsn.gov call 253-573-7800 for updates and more information.
In response to the pandemic, the Tribe also said it will delay the opening of its new $450 million I-5 casino.
“When the casinos reopen, operations at the existing I-5 location will shift to the new I-5 location at 2920 E. R. St. in Tacoma,” the press release said.
This story was originally published March 16, 2020 at 4:00 PM.
