The Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians has chosen to temporarily close the Chumash Casino Resort amid COVID-19 concerns. T
The closure takes effect 11:59 p.m., Sunday, March 15, 2020 and extends through the end of the month.
“We have been following the COVID-19 pandemic as it progresses and have taken necessary precautions based on governmental guidance to protect our team members and guests,” said Kenneth Kahn, Tribal Chairman for the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians. “As uncertainty surrounding this threat escalates on an hourly basis, our tribe has decided to proceed with extreme caution and temporarily close the Chumash Casino Resort.”
In a press release, the tribe said employees will still get paid.
The Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians said it is continuing to monitor the evolving COVID-19 pandemic and will adjust length of closure as appropriate.
The Chumash Casino Resort is owned and operated by the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians.
Its reservation was established and officially recognized by the federal government in 1901.
“The health and welfare of the community is our immediate concern,” Kahn added. “We will remain in close communication with local, state and federal agencies to discuss the latest developments.”
The Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians remains the only federally recognized Chumash tribe in the nation today.
As the largest employer in the Santa Ynez Valley, the tribe employs more than 2,000 residents of Santa Barbara County.
