The Muscogee Nation

Tag: COVID19

  • Muscogee (Creek) Nation announces temporary closure of River Spirit Casino Resort and 8 regional casinos until March 31

    Muscogee (Creek) Nation announces temporary closure of River Spirit Casino Resort and 8 regional casinos until March 31

    Nation commits to maintaining payroll for 2,200 casino employees through end of month

    (TULSA, Okla.) – Muscogee (Creek) Nation Principal Chief David Hill and River Spirit Casino Resort Chief Executive Officer Pat Crofts announced today the temporary closure of all nine Muscogee (Creek) Nation Casinos, including River Spirit Casino Resort. While River Spirit Casino Resort and the other casino properties have no reported cases of COVID-19, the temporary closure is due to guidelines by the National Center for Disease Control in order to assist public efforts to reduce exposure to the virus.

    The temporary closure begins tonight, at Midnight (12:00 am CST), through at least Tuesday, March 31, 2020, when officials will evaluate re-opening based on current information from the CDC.

    “As a Nation and a community, we must lead by example. The temporary closure of all Muscogee (Creek) Nation Casinos, including River Spirit Casino Resort’s hotel and restaurants, is in the best interest of the safety of our guests and employees,” Chief Hill said. “While there is great uncertainty on the business and community impact, we must all work together and be proactive to reduce the spread of COVID-19 among the public-at-large.”

    Chief Hill and officials confirmed the 2,200 employees at Muscogee (Creek) Nation Casinos and River Spirit Casino Resort will continue to be paid through the end of the month. The temporary closure includes casinos in Beggs, Holdenville, Eufaula, Bristow, Checotah, Okemah and River Spirit Casino Resort in Tulsa. The travel plaza casinos in Muskogee and Okmulgee will close, but the convenience stores remain open to serve the public in need of essentials.

    “Our Nation’s citizens and employees have already faced a remarkable test of endurance last year during the closure due to historic flooding,” Chief Hill said. “Once again, we are rising to the challenge together and doing our part to benefit the communities in which we live and serve.”

    Leading up to the closure, Muscogee (Creek) Nation Casinos increased its cleaning protocols and added anti-bacterial stations throughout the facilities to help combat the unintentional spread of the virus.

    “While educating employees and guests about the CDC guidelines and dedicating additional resources for cleaning has been impactful, it is now clear that a more extensive action is necessary,” said Crofts. “We will continue to monitor the national guidelines and will reopen River Spirit Casino Resort and Muscogee (Creek) Nation Casinos as soon as it is safe to do so. In the meantime, we will continue to support our employees and communities in every way that we can during this period of closure.”

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  • Muscogee (Creek) Nation declares COVID-19 state of emergency

    For immediate release

    March 13, 2020

    Muscogee (Creek) Nation declares COVID-19 state of emergency

    OKMULGEE, Oklahoma —Principal Chief David Hill declared a state of emergency for the Muscogee (Creek) Nation effective March 13 to minimize the potential spread of the Novel Coronavirus Disease, also known as COVID-19.

    “We are treating this as a serious situation,” said Principal Chief David Hill.  “For several weeks now the Muscogee (Creek) Nation’s Department of Health has worked diligently to develop and implement emergency rules and procedures to protect our citizens and our communities,” Hill said.  “Because of the public health threat posed by COVID-19, the Muscogee (Creek) Nation is issuing a state-of-emergency. Through this declaration, we are taking necessary steps toward protecting our citizens.”

    The executive order mandates the following:

    • Discontinues chartered community and large group gatherings;
    • Suspends Elderly Nutrition communal meals;
    • Halts employee work travel indefinitely; and
    • Gives authority to departments to make necessary purchases related to cleaning and sanitization.

    The executive order does not:

    • Require any tribal offices or departments to close. Each department has discretion to cancel hosted public events.
    • Discontinue any government services provided directly to citizens.

    The Oklahoma State Department of Health has advised that if you suspect you may have COVID-19, do not go to the emergency room. If you have symptoms such as: cough, fever, or other respiratory problems to contact your regular doctor first.

    MCN Department of Health has set up a COVID-19 hotlines to address questions and concerns. Hotline hours of operation are Monday – Friday, 8:00am to 5:00pm.

    Community: (918) 758-3550.

    For questions, after hours the public may call either the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Medical Center Emergency Room or the Okemah Community Hospital Emergency Room. Health professionals can screen and triage patients over the phone.

    For updated on COVID-19, please visit:

     

    Frequently Asked Questions

    1. What if I think I may have COVID19?
    2. Do not go to the emergency room. Please call the MCN COVID Hotline (918) 758-3550 and a nurse practitioner will conduct a screening. Hours of operation are Monday – Friday, 8:00am-5:00pm.

     

    1. How long it take to receive screening results?
    2. During COVID19 testing, health centers will draw blood to be tested. All tests must be sent to the state for testing. Results are not available for a minimum of 72 hours.