Wind Creek will close its properties in Alabama for 24 hours after a visitor to its Wetumpka casino tested positive for coronavirus.

Wind Creek’s properties Atmore, Wetumpka and Montgomery will close Sunday at 6 a.m. They will reopen Monday at 6 a.m.

According to the Alabama Department of Public Health, there are 12 confirmed cases of coronavirus in the state, including one in Elmore County where Wetumpka is located. The person later diagnosed with COVID-19 visited the casino in the third week of February.

Wind Creek Hospitality is excited to announce that it is reopening all three of its Alabama based resort properties over the next two weeks. A soft opening to small groups of invited guests begins Thursday, June 4th followed by a public opening for the "new" full operation on Monday, June 8th. Welcome to Wind Creek Casino and Hotel Wetumpka! We have over 2,500 of today’s most popular gaming machines, a AAA Four Diamond hotel, diverse dining. Casino Overview. Over 2,200 games on 65,000 square feet. Talk about fun and games. Wind Creek Rewards. The Southeast's best player loyalty program just got. Ranked Top 5 in the '2016 Best Casinos to Work For' by Casino Journal. Grow your career with Wind Creek Hospitality! We offer exciting jobs where you can come to work, have fun & entertain our guests while providing outstanding customer service. Wind Creek Hospitality 303 Poarch Rd.

Reopening changes

During the closure, the properties will undergo deep cleanings and several changes are slated for reopening.

“The safety and wellbeing of our guests and team members is paramount to Wind Creek. During this closure, all of our Alabama properties will undergo an intensive deep cleaning and sanitizing process,” Wind Creek said in a statement.

After reopening, “social distancing” policies will be in place, including:

Limiting active machines on the casino floor, high limit areas and non-smoking areas to allow for more spacing between games.

Limiting and spacing seating in all restaurants and bars.

Limiting and spacing seating at all other public areas.

Configuring lines to allow for more space between other properties.

Employees will be paid during the shutdown.

Wind Creek said there have been no other reported cases of COVID-19 at its other properties.

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©2020 Alabama Media Group, Birmingham

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The casinos and resorts of Alabama’s only federally recognized Indian Tribe will fully reopen to the public Monday, June 8.

Wind Creek Hospitality said all three of its Alabama-based resort properties will first reopen to small groups of invited guests June 4, followed by a public opening of the full operation the following Monday.

Wind Creek Casino Montgomery Al

Wind Creek, which also operates resorts in Aruba, Curacao, Nevada and Florida, closed its facilities in March to halt the spread of COVID-19. The company owns hotel properties and casinos in Alabama at Wetumpka, Atmore, Montgomery, as well as the Mobile Greyhound Track.

Among measures adopted due to the pandemic, the company has announced temperature checks for all guests and employees, and masks or face coverings required for everyone. Guests should bring their own masks, but those without will be able to acquire one at the property for a small donation supporting local first responders, health care providers, and COVID patient relief funds, the company says.

According to the company’s seven-page reopening plan, there will be hand sanitizer dispensers throughout the properties and ventilation will be increased. Employees will be sent home if they show fever, cough or shortness of breath.

Smoking will only be allowed in designated spots separate from the gaming floor, restaurants and public areas.

There will also be limits to the number of guests on the casino floor, which equates to roughly one-third of normal operations. There will also be increased distances between tables in dining areas, markings for appropriate distances near hotel check-in and other areas where lines usually form. Hotels will be operated at 50 percent occupancy, and hotel rooms will be left unoccupied for at least 24 hours until they are thoroughly cleaned.

The casino floor will be open to the public for four sessions each day, with deep cleaning conducted between sessions. Each machine will also be cleaned before and after every guest. The company said special waiting areas will be available for guests at each property if it is at capacity.

At reopening, Wind Creek is also introducing a new reservation system that lets guests make a reservation for a particular session up to fourteen days in advance. The company hopes the system will eliminate lines that would frustrate social distancing requirements.

Wind Creek Montgomery Casino

“Just like your favorite restaurant on a Friday night, a reservation isn’t required,' Wind Creek CEO and President Jay Dorris said. 'But if you absolutely want to join us on a given day and time, reservations are available.”

The reservation system will be open to visitors by June 3 at the website or by calling (866) 946-3360.

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©2020 Alabama Media Group, Birmingham

Visit Alabama Media Group, Birmingham at www.al.com

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.