Cache Creek Casino makes COVID-19 testing mandatory for employees, some already infected
Cache Creek Casino Resort, one of Northern California’s largest gambling halls, recently instituted mandatory COVID-19 testing for employees as infection rates continue to rise.
In a news release, Cache Creek leadership said that as a result of the testing program, which is ongoing, “a small number of our employees” were determined to have contracted the coronavirus on Friday.
“As we have done throughout this pandemic, we will continue to work closely with Yolo County Health and Human Services to ensure our response is appropriate, and to facilitate contact tracing,” the casino said in a statement. “Anyone identified through contact tracing as being at risk for exposure will notified by county officials.”
The casino, like others along the outskirts of the capital region, has already instituted safeguards against coronavirus, such as requiring face masks and temperature checks for any guests and all staff. Upon reopening, the layout of the casino was changed to accommodate social distancing at half occupancy. Staff who test positive are asked to not come into work for at least 14 days.
“Like other large employers, we recognize the challenges of keeping a staff of approximately 2,300 people healthy during a pandemic. We strive to meet that challenge by providing mandatory testing that far exceeds CDC guidance for employers, and the norms for our industry nationwide,” Cache Creek officials said. “We expected increased testing could reveal COVID-19 cases that might otherwise go undetected; that’s precisely why we do it. Our priority is the wellbeing of our guests and CCCR family, and seeing to it that our staff gets appropriate medical care should they need it.”
As coronavirus infections in the United States continue to surge, casinos have faced scrutiny as possible centers of infection. In California this week, Gov. Gavin Newsom ordered non-tribal cardrooms to close. In Florida, the mayor of Miami-Dade County also shut down casinos and other entertainment venues this week, barring those on tribal lands. Several casinos in Arizona voluntarily closed in June after an employee died of COVID-19, only reopening on Thursday.
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