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Southland looks to ‘Play It Safe’ with limited reopening

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Program aligned to best practices of CDC COVID- 19 prevention guidelines

news@theeveningtimes.com

Southland Casino Racing will implement a comprehensive program ahead of today’s reopening that features new health and safety standards aimed at helping keep guests and employees safe while slowing the spread of COVID-19.

The program, called “Play It Safe,” encompasses Southland’s new operating procedures, which have been re-engineered to minimize contact risk. It includes bolstered hygiene protocols to meet or exceed best-practice guidelines of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). As part of this effort, the facility will undergo rigorous, ongoing cleaning and sterilization with Ecolab products, which are formulated to eliminate bacteria and viruses such as COVID-19 and will close nightly for a deep-cleaning of all public areas.

“The health and safety of guests and employees is above everything,” said David Wolf, president and general manager of Southland Casino Racing.

“Throughout our temporary closure and during the development of the Play It Safe program, we have been working closely with state and local government officials and public health officers to ensure we are taking appropriate safety precautions.”

West Memphis Mayor Marco McClendon noted health precautions taking by the city's biggest tax generator but thought it too soon to reopen anything to large gatherings.

'I am going to remain consistent,' said McClendon.

'I've asked everybody from David Wolf at Southland on down to the smallest churches, to hold out until June first and then re-evaluate then. I understand the governor made the decision. I am glad about all the safeguards Southland planned to put in place.'

Southland announced key elements of the Play it Safe program include:

• Guests are asked to adhere to social distancing protocols while waiting to enter.

• All incoming guests will be added to a guest registry and their identity will be stored as a record of their visit.

• All guests will be required to wear a mask or other face covering during their visit.

• Temperature screening of guests takes place upon entering the facility.

• An on-site “Clean Team” equipped with multi-surface cleaner and disinfectant to conduct ongoing sanitization of all surfaces.

They will help to protect guests by dispensing hand sanitizer and spot cleaning slot machines and other surfaces on request.

• Social distancing protocols are in place throughout the facility.

• Touchless service and payment options are now available at food and beverage outlets.

• Hand-sanitizing stations have been added at the entrance and throughout

Continued on Page 3 SOUTHLAND (cont.) the facility. • Air exchange settings have been bolstered to optimize

facility.

• Some service offerings may be limited or unavailable to help maintain safe social distancing and health and safety guidelines.

• No smoking will be permitted within the facility, and designated smoking areas will be established and maintained outside of the building.

Employees will undergo comprehensive training on Play It Safe health and safety standards and are required to strictly adhere to Play It Safe policies and procedures, including rigorous sanitation and hygiene requirements.

Employees take a health check, including a temperature screen, when they report to work and are required to wear masks while on duty.

Southland will reopen at one-third capacity per the state’s directive and will feature a reduced number of slots and no table games, live racing or sports betting. The Lucky North players club will have limited hours, and food and beverage options will also be limited, with the World Market Buffet closed. The casino’s hours will be 9 a.m. to 3 a.m. Sunday through Thursday and 9 a.m. to 5 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.

Southland will continue to consult on its plans with the Arkansas State Racing Commission, the State of Arkansas and the Crittenden County Health Department.

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