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FARMINGTON Northern Edge Casino in Upper Fruitland and Fire Rock Casino near Gallup will reopen March 19, a year after gaming operations stopped as part of preventive measures against COVID-19.
The Navajo Nation Gaming Enterprise announced on March 16 that both locations will operate under a soft reopening for two weeks.
The enterprise will evaluate operations at the end of the two-week period and possibly reopen its other properties, which include Flowing Water Casino in Hogback and Twin Arrows Casino Resort near Flagstaff, Arizona, according to a press release.
For now, Northern Edge and Fire Rock will only be accessible to Navajo Nation residents and operate under temporary protocols, including hours of operation from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. each day, maximum occupancy at 25%, social distancing enforcement and no food or beverage services.
Navajo Gaming To Temporarily Layoff Over 11-Hundred Workers To Start The New Year
Navajo Gaming is temporarily laying off over 11-hundred employees to start the new year. Officials say due to the “drastic and prolonged economic impact of COVID-19,” 1,120 employees will be temporarily laid off January 1st. NNGE leadership had repeatedly warned leaders that if Navajo casinos were not allowed to re-open, even at a reduced capacity, layoffs would be necessary. Officials say 165 employees will remain to ensure that essential functions are performed during this time. Additionally, Navajo Gaming says they face the possibility of permanent closure by the end of January if not allowed to partially reopen, or receive alternate funding. Permanent closure of the casinos would come at a cost of $460-million to the Navajo Nation for the first year. Navajo Gaming interim CEO Brian Parrish says “we believe we can responsibly reopen, at a reduced occupancy with the implementation of first