The Graton Casino in Sonoma County has canceled a previously scheduled New Year's Eve party that had drawn concern from county health officials.
Tribal Chairman Greg Sarris said in a Thursday post to his personal Facebook page that the property will now close at 5 p.m. New Year's Eve and that all parties and gatherings were canceled.
The announcement came after the Rohnert Park casino had planned a New Year's Eve party with as many as 4,000 guests. The casino had a brief self-imposed closure at the beginning of the pandemic, but since June has remained open despite the recent state lockdown.
"The casino has been open all along," said County Health officer, Dr. Sundari Mase. "They don’t really fall under the state stay at home order because they are a sovereign nation."
Before the cancellation announcement, Sonoma County Spokesperson Paul Gullixson expressed concern, saying that an indoor event of this size is a concern as coronavirus cases surge throughout the state.
"It would be our preference to not have a party with 4,000 people indoors," Gullixson said.
In a statement, the tribal chairman told KCBS Radio that the casino continues to exceed CDC safety requirements and tests employees every two weeks.
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