News

Yesterday afternoon, the Blue Lake Rancheria Tribe announced that it was “choosing to shut down its restaurants at the Blue Lake Casino after a food and beverage employee tested positive for COVID-19.”

On Nov. 3, the tribe began offering free tests for tribal communities as well as all employees who are working for the tribe’s business enterprises. At this time, we have not learned if the positive test came through this outreach.

The tribe said in a statement on Friday that they are “closely working with the Humboldt County Department of Health on contact tracing and rapid testing.”

In the spring, Humboldt County had used the tribe’s food program to provide meals for the homeless. We’ve sent an email requesting information on whether the food program is still ongoing and if it will be affected.

“At this time, casino staff members who have been in close proximity to the sick employee have been sent home and will be tested for the virus,” the statement issued by the Tribe said. “The tribe is prepared to completely shut down the casino if those employees test positive for COVID-19.”