Montana casinos reopen as state lifts some COVID-19 closures

Montana has lifted more closures imposed to fight the coronavirus, so bars, restaurants, and casinos, which had been closed for seven weeks, have been allowed Monday to open their doors.

Not all establishments reopened immediately, and some industry workers expressed concern that interacting with customers puts them at risk, the Associated Press reported.

As Montana’s rate of COVID-19 infections has steadily declined since a peak of 35 cases on March 26, officials have moved methodically in recent days to reopen sectors of the state's economy even as many other states kept restrictions in place.

One Billings casino owner has been able to keep all his machines with proper distancing, although he is not allowed to have customers at the bar after the closure order was lifted.

The Lucky 7's Casino in Billings Heights is almost back to normal, KTVQ reports.

"It's eerie," Lucky 7's owner John Gies said about being closed. "It's completely different because there's nobody in here. It's nothing like it was when we opened."

That changed on Monday, the date identified by Gov. Steve Bullock to allow casinos to reopen while observing social-distancing guidelines.

"I'm ecstatic," he said. "I'm ecstatic just to see everyone again. It provides that social interaction that everybody needs, instead of being cooped up and not being able to get out and socialize. That's a big aspect of it as well."

Gies followed the state guidelines for approval by the Yellowstone County health office.

"We did spread our machines out to meet the social distancing requirements of six feet per machine throughout the whole casino," Gies said.

"We did use industrial cleaners," Gies said. "That does kill the coronavirus. Really did a deep clean."

"We're going to be cleaning our machines from top to bottom, the chairs and everything so when a customer leaves and a new customer comes in, they know that machine has been cleaned," Gies said. "Also clean all door handles both coming in and out of the building, every ATM, any touchable surface we will be hands on deck cleaning it to make sure everything is safe for our customers and our employees."

"The bills keep coming and especially with no income coming in," Gies said. "But we survived it and we will continue on."

Gies also says customers will open their own beverages. Soft drinks from the fountain will be served in plastic cups that will be used just one time.

He also plans on having hand sanitizer and gloves available for customers.

Churches and retail shops in Montana opened last week and a stay-at-home order was lifted except for vulnerable populations including the elderly. Schools can re-open May 7 under the latest directive from Gov. Steve Bullock, but many districts already have canceled in-person classes through the end of the year.