Seminole Casino Hotel Immokalee plans to reopen Aug. 31 with ‘Safe+Sound’ guidelines

Seminole Casino Hotel in Immokalee confirmed on its website Monday it plans to reopen Aug.31.

According to the website release, the casino hotel will reopen “under new and stringent “Safe+Sound” program guidelines. The safety guidelines include multiple new initiatives designed to create an environment that helps to keep guests and team members safe.”

“I think it’s a great idea,” said Al Vinci in Naples. “I think, if people want to go, they should be able to go.”

In its website statement, Seminole Casino Hotel said,” The Seminole Tribe of Florida and Seminole Gaming are very grateful to all our loyal guests and dedicated team members. We look forward to welcoming everyone back soon.”

“I’m in favor of opening business again,” said Samantha Reynolds in Naples. “We have to start life again at some point, so why not now?”

While many people are excited for the Seminole Casino to reopen its doors, hitting the slot machines and grabbing a bite to eat will look a little different.

“I think they should have precautions like they do in Vegas, the same thing,” Vinci said. “Keep the distance, cleaning the machines; they have spacing.”

All guests will get their temperatures checked and will find hand sanitizer stations throughout the casino.

“I’m sure they are going to be super strict because they don’t want to have to shut down again,” said Glen Bigness in Naples.

State Rep. Heather Fitzenhagen (R-Fla) called for the casino’s closure in March days after a gambler who spent time there died of coronavirus.

We spoke to that man’s daughter Monday. She says the family does not think it played a role in her father’s death.

The Safe+Sound program guidelines include:

• Temperature checks for all guests and team members prior to entry. Any guest or team member with a temperature above CDC guidelines of 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit will not be allowed entry
• A requirement that all guests wear masks or cloth face coverings that meet CDC guidelines, without exception. Masks will be provided to guests, as needed
• Thousands of alternating slot machines will be turned off, to help ensure social distancing on the casino floor
• New Plexiglass barriers will divide players at table games and customer service areas
• Hundreds of signs will be posted throughout the complex to encourage social distancing and help ensure adherence to Safe+Sound program guidelines
• More than 100 team members will be part of a new “Safe+Sound Clean Team” to focus on cleaning and disinfecting surfaces throughout the complex, with special emphasis on high-touch surfaces and common areas
• Hand-sanitizing stations will be available on the casino floor, at the entrances and throughout the property
• Constant purification and disinfecting of the air flowing into the complex through the AtmosAir™ bipolar ionization system designed to destroy virus particles in the air and on surfaces
• An overall 50 percent reduction in guest capacity throughout the property

MORE: Seminole Casino Hotel reopening announcement w/FAQs