Wisconsin's Ho-Chunk casinos reissue mask mandate following Covid cases growth

Ho-Chunk Gaming Wisconsin has reissued the indoor mask mandate for all its six locations —Black River Falls, Madison, Nekoosa, Tomah, Wisconsin Dells and Wittenberg.

This includes Ho-Chunk Hotel venues, all Whitetail Crossing locations, and Ho-Chunk RV sites.

In a statement, the tribe has cited the “fast-growing number of positive cases of Covid-19 both near and far.”

“We care, that is why we are prioritizing the health and safety of our families and yours by requiring masks to be worn,” further adds the announcement.

The measure will affect both guests and team members within the facilities, and masks are asked to be “properly worn covering mouth and nose.” The policy will apply to everyone, disregarding vaccination status, and masks will be available for those who do not have one. Moreover, the Ho-Chunk tribe says the practice of social distancing measures will remain in effect as well.

The decision follows a new recommendation issued by Public Health Madison Dane County (PHMDC) and new guidance from the Center for Disease Control (CDC), as the Delta variant’s transmission has gone from substantial to “high”.

Ho-Chunk Gaming counts with six locations -Black River Falls, Madison, Nekoosa, Tomah, Wisconsin Dells and Wittenberg- which have started to implement individual measures, such as using plexi-glass in areas where transactions occur, hand sanitizer throughout the facilities, and requiring frequent handwashing of the staff.

“Our main concern is to welcome our guests and staff to a safe, recreational environment,” said Daniel Brown, Executive Manager at Ho-Chunk Gaming Madison.

On August 10, Wisconsin hit the most Covid-19 cases it has seen in over seven months, with health officials reporting 1,582 cases on Tuesday, bringing the seven-day rolling average up to 1,101, reports NBC15.