San Manuel Casino extends coronavirus closure, adjusts staff pay

Saturday 4th April 2020

San Manuel Casino near Highland has extended its temporary closure due to the novel coronavirus through the end of April, tribal officials announced Friday, April 3.

The tribe also announced that while employees would receive full benefits for the month, their pay would be reduced, with "senior staff impacted most significantly," according to a statement from the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians.

"When we think about scenarios where the casino does not re-open on May 1, we recognize two very different realities: that we want to care for our team members in every way we can, and that we must preserve the future financial viability of our enterprise," the statement read.

The tribe announced in late March that it hoped to re-open April 11, but with coronavirus cases surging in Southern California, San Manuel, like many other casinos, has extended its closure.

"While we don't know what's around the corner, we are working hard to keep our team intact for as long as we can," the statement read."