Graton Resort & Casino abruptly canceled its plans to host a private event for 4,000 people on New Year’s Eve, a move announced amid growing public scrutiny Thursday afternoon by Tribal Graton President Greg Sarris in his personal page on Facebook.
“The Graton Resort Casino will close at 5 pm on 12/31 for all activities. All New Year’s Eve parties and meetings have been canceled. The casino will be reopened on 01/01/21 at 6 am ”, said its message at 12:44 pm.
At 1:30 pm on Thursday, the casino website was updated and no longer included the prior announcement of a private party scheduled to take place from 5 pm on December 31 to January 1 at 4 am
Large indoor meetings are prohibited by Sonoma County public health orders, but the owner of the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria casino is a sovereign nation, not subject to county or state public health orders, said local public health officials. Therefore, county officials have limited themselves to what they can do to prevent any planned events at the casino.
“It would be our preference, obviously, not to have a party with 4,000 people inside the house,” said Paul Gullixson, a spokesman for Sonoma County, during a news conference on Wednesday.
County health officer Dr. Sundari Mase said the casino operator will take steps to reduce the risk of party participants contracting the coronavirus.
“They are trying to do things with as many mitigation measures as they can, in terms of limiting their internal capacity to 20% (of capacity),” said Mase on Wednesday.
A Graton spokeswoman confirmed Wednesday night that there will be a private New Year’s Eve party at the casino, but declined to reveal details about the matter, except what is on the casino’s website. The casino will become a “private place” and close to the public from December 31 at 5 pm to January 1, 2021 at 4 am, according to the Graton website. No other information, including who is invited to the private event, is noted online.
In a statement released late on Wednesday, Sarris said in part that the farm continues to “work closely with the Sonoma County Public Health Officer. Graton Resort & Casino will remain open to a limited extent and will continue to exceed all CDC security requirements. In addition to the security measures already in place, team members are tested for COVID-19 every two weeks and use digital devices that ensure social distance. “
The casino bars are closed and the “alcoholic drinks service” ends every night at 9 pm, according to the statement.
This story is developing. Check back later for additional details.
You can contact editor Martin Espinoza at 707-521-5213 or [email protected]. On Twitter @pressreno. Staff writer Kevin Fixler is available at 707-521-5336 or [email protected]. On Twitter, @kfixler.
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Graton Resort & Casino, outside Rohnert Park, plans to host a private New Year’s Eve party indoors with 4,000 guests, county officials said on Wednesday.
Large indoor meetings are prohibited by Sonoma County public health orders, but the owner of the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria casino is a sovereign nation, not subject to county or state public health orders, said local public health officials. Therefore, county officials cannot do anything about the large planned meeting or force its cancellation.
“It would be our preference, obviously, not to have a party with 4,000 people inside the house,” said Paul Gullixson, a spokesman for Sonoma County, during a news conference on Wednesday.
County health officer Dr. Sundari Mase said the casino operator will take steps to reduce the risk of party participants contracting the coronavirus.
“They are trying to do things with as many mitigation measures as they can, in terms of limiting their internal capacity to 20% (of capacity),” said Mase on Wednesday.
A Graton spokeswoman confirmed Wednesday night that there will be a private New Year’s Eve party at the casino, but declined to reveal details about the matter other than what is on the casino’s website. The casino will become a “private place” and close to the public from December 31 at 5 pm until January 1, 2021 at 4 am, according to the Graton website. No other information, including who is invited to the private event, is noted online.
In a statement released Wednesday night, Greg Sarris, tribal president of the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria, said in part that the farm continues to “work closely with the Sonoma County Public Health Officer. Graton Resort & Casino will remain open to a limited extent and continue to exceed all CDC security requirements. In addition to the security measures already in place, team members are tested for COVID-19 every two weeks and use digital devices that ensure social distance. “
The casino’s bars are closed and the “alcoholic beverage service” ends every night at 9 pm, according to the statement.
This story is developing. Check back later for additional details.