MT. PLEASANT, Mich - The Soaring Eagle Casino in Mt. Pleasant reports on its Facebook page they will remain open despite Governor Gretchen Whitmer announcing new COVID-19 restriction from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services.

The MDHHS order says that casino's must close for the next three weeks beginning Wednesday.

Gaming at tribal casinos does not fall under state regulation according to the Michigan Gaming Control Board per an article in the Detroit News.

The casino released the following statement on its Facebook page:

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In March, 2020 Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort, Saganing Eagles Landing Casino & Hotel and The Slot Palace & Bingo Hall voluntarily closed for an initial two-week period following Governor Whitmer’s “Stay Home, Stay Safe” Order. Thereafter, the casinos voluntarily remained closed for an extended period, consistent with the Governor’s follow-on Orders until May 28, 2020, reopening at a time many other casinos across the country were reopening

During the casino closures, the casino management team spent time learning about the Coronavirus and implementing a Health and Sanitation Plan to responsibly reopen. This Plan includes the requirement that all guests and team members wear masks, something now known to be the single most significant safety measure. The casinos hired “Clean Teams” dedicated to the continuous cleaning of slot machines and other high touch surfaces. Every other slot machine has been turned off to achieve social distancing with social distancing markers installed in appropriate places throughout the facility. Acrylic dividers have been installed at close interaction areas, including at all table games. Additional hand sanitation stations and sanitation wipe stations have been installed. All guests and team members have temperature checks before entering the casinos.

Today, we have a track record of success. Our experience with Coronavirus transmission has been that the safety protocols are effective, particularly the requirement that all team members and guests wear masks. Contact tracing indicates that Coronavirus transmission typically occurs outside of the casino environment where masks may not have been worn and other protocols may not have been followed

Soaring Eagle Resort Hotel

For these reasons, we have decided to keep our gaming facilities open under our stringent Health and Sanitation Plan. We do not believe that closing the Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort, Saganing Eagles Landing Casino & Hotel and The Slot Palace & Bingo Hall will reduce the spread of the Coronavirus. Should new information emerge that indicates otherwise, we will revisit this decision. We will continue to review protocols in all areas of our operation and make adjustments as deemed appropriate.