MASHANTUCKET, CT – October 2, 2020 – In response to the increased COVID-19 infection rate across eastern Connecticut, Foxwoods Resort Casino today announced that it will continue to operate at 25 percent capacity, as it has since reopening in June. The resort maintaining its current capacity limit is also directly related to the successful safety track record Foxwoods has seen from its existing operating plan.
“Governor Lamont is doing a fantastic job keeping Connecticut safe and swiftly addressing hots spots as they flare up, and we applaud his strong leadership during this crisis,” said Jason Guyot, Foxwoods’ Interim CEO. He continued, “As the state cautiously continues to reopen under the phase 3 guidelines issued by the Governor, we believe it is in the best interest of our team members, guests, Tribal members and communities to maintain our current 25% capacity threshold given the recent uptick of COVID-19 cases in our region. Since reopening, we’ve been vigilant in adhering to our aggressive health protocols to control the spread of the virus and to ensure the resort is a safe destination for everyone who walks through our doors. Our standards meet or exceed the state’s requirements, which we constantly review and update regularly, balancing emerging science with the current situation in Connecticut. Ensuring our guests and the public feel safe – and are confident in our protocols – at Foxwoods is our number one priority.”
Under the guidance of Dr. Setu Vora, the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation’s Chief Medical Officer, Foxwoods has established extensive protocols including mandatory masks, temperature checks, team member wellness checks and 24/7 sanitation of the resort. Foxwoods is also currently finalizing ways to provide regular testing for the workforce in the coming weeks.
Highlights of Foxwoods’ safety measures include, but are not limited to, the following:
- 100 percent universal masking
- Social distancing
- Fresh air ventilation system optimization
- Easy access to hand sanitizers and enhanced cleaning
- Team member training
- Mandatory temperature checks for all people entering the property
- Imposed travel restrictions similar to state mandates
- Mobilized interdisciplinary safety response team to review all aspects of operations
- Robust case investigation and contact tracing program at work
- Dedicated testing program in partnership with local healthcare systems
- Soon-to-be launched saliva-based RT-PCR testing protocol
The new protocols have allowed Foxwoods to identify, quarantine and support a limited number of positive team member cases since June. All cases were categorized as community-acquired with no secondary transmission in the workplace.
Any team member who tests positive is required to quarantine for 14 days, along with any other individuals in which they may have come in contact. In partnership with United Community & Family Services, the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation (MPTN) has conducted a mass community-based testing event and a second is tentatively scheduled for next week. The Tribe also encourages all team member and their households to utilize the testing facilities offered by the state this weekend.
MPTN continues to work with leading organizations across the state as part of its safety approach, including MAVEN and ContaCT systems for contact tracing in partnership with the State Department of Public Health. The Tribe also closely collaborates with Ledge Light Health District, Uncas Health District, Hartford HealthCare and Yale New Haven Health to ensure Foxwoods remains a safe and secure destination.
For more information on Foxwoods’ safety plan, please visit here.