The Arkansas Department of Health has released its directive for reopening the state's casinos, which will take effect on May 18, noting that each venue must submit a detailed plan for operating under COVID-19 health restrictions.
As of presstime Monday, Oaklawn had yet to comment on Gov. Asa Hutchinson's announcement last Thursday that the casinos could reopen. Any updates will be posted on The Sentinel-Record's website, hotsr.com.
Secretary of Health Dr. Nate Smith, in consultation with the governor, has sole authority over all instances of quarantine, isolation and restrictions on commerce and travel throughout Arkansas, as necessary and appropriate to control disease in the state, according to the directive.
"Based on available scientific evidence, it is necessary and appropriate to take further action to ensure that COVID-19 remains controlled and that residents and visitors in Arkansas remain safe," the directive reads. " ... As the public health crisis is evolving, the following is a directive on resumption of services in casinos in a phased approach. This approach is based on the best available scientific evidence and a consensus of experts" at the ADH.
As a requirement for reopening, according to the directive, a casino must have a detailed plan for how they will conduct their operations to minimize the risk of transmission of COVID-19 within their facility approved by Smith. At a minimum, the plan must include the following considerations:
• Reopen at no more than 33% capacity for their facility.
• Track attendees for possible use in contact tracing should an outbreak occur.
• Screen staff and customers for possible illness or exposure to COVID-19 and exclude those persons who are ill or have been exposed.
• Maintain a 6-foot physical distance between people.
• Manage lines or queues for entrance, exit, making purchases, or for other reasons for maintaining a distance of 6 feet between people.
• Arrange seating to maintain a 6-foot distance.
• Provide for easy access for hand hygiene for staff and customers.
• Enforce a requirement for face coverings for all persons present.
• Maintain physical distancing during shows or live performances.
• Address how food will be served in compliance with ADH directive on resuming restaurant dine-in operations, which occurred Monday.
• Clean and disinfect the facility to minimize the possible spread of the virus that causes COVID-19.
• Specify how an employee testing positive for COVID-19 will be reported to ADH and assistance provided for contact tracing.
Visit Hot Springs CEO Steve Arrison told The Sentinel-Record on Thursday that the governor's announcement that day was "great news" for Hot Springs, as Oaklawn is the "number one tourist destination" in the state.
Oaklawn is a "mainstay of our tourism product here, so it's very welcomed news and I can't wait for the 18th to get here," Arrison said.
He said Oaklawn reopening is "another great step," although the state "still has a long way to go" in coming out of the COVID-19 pandemic's economical effects.
Oaklawn announced on March 15 that, after two people in Garland County tested positive for the virus, the decision was made to voluntarily close the casino for two weeks, effective March 16-30.
A civil directive was issued on March 16 to limit operations of Arkansas casinos until April 30.
On April 1, Oaklawn extended the closure through April 30 pursuant to the ADH directive extending the closure.
Local on 05/12/2020