By BRENT MARTIN
St. Joseph Post
Patrons are being welcomed back to St. Jo Frontier, reopened after COVID-19 restrictions closed it in March.
Marketing Director Roxanne Miller says precautions have been taken to keep customers safe, including an occupancy limit and a limit on the slot machines that can be played.
“This is our first phase of operation. So, what that includes is our slot machines and what we’ve done is every other machine. So, we have a capacity of the number of people who are allowed on the property and we are not opening our table games until phase two, which is June 15th,” Miller tells St. Joseph Post.
Everyone entering the St. Jo Frontier Casino has their temperature taken. Hand sanitizer and disinfectant wipes are available throughout the property.
All employees wear masks. Masks are encouraged, but not required for patrons.
“Some people absolutely do not want to come on the property unless everyone has a mask on and then we have a lot of people fighting that they don’t want to wear a mask,” Miller says, adding the casino encourages patrons to wear a mask.
“We want to provide a safe environment. But they do not have to wear a mask.”
If things go according to plan, food service will expand and table games will be offered on the 15th.
The casino placed its approximately 150 employees on furlough while paying their medical benefits. Miller says virtually all the employees returned.
March has been a rough month for the St. Jo Frontier Casino. Last March, flooding closed the casino. This March, COVID-19 forced it to shut its doors.
Miller acknowledges the casino took a financial hit since being this year when COVID-19 restrictions hit, but she insists the casino isn’t going anywhere.
“We don’t know the impact that it may have as far as our revenues go, but we’re here to stay. We’re loyal to St. Joe and St. Joe is loyal to us.”
Miller says patrons have been excited to return.
“They want to give you a hug, but you can’t do that right now. You’ve got to do the virtual hug. It was positive to see everyone back at the property.”