Anyone with a temperature above 100-degrees F would be denied access. Citing its sovereign status, the tribe decided to reopen the casino, saying it would institute more safety precautions, including increased sanitation measures and checking temperature of all customers before allowing them access into the casino. Last week, the tribe reached out to the governor’s office to coordinate a reopen date for Island Resort and Casino. The order was extended Thursday afternoon until at least May 28. Michigan, a state with the fourth-most COVID-19 related deaths in the country, has been under a stay-at-home order issued by Michigan Gov. It also allows the tribal governments to interact with states in a government-to-government relationship.

Federally recognized tribes have sovereignty status that exempts them from state laws. The Hannahville Indian Community is a federally recognized Potawatomi tribe. The resort and casino have been closed since March 21, when it voluntarily shuttered its doors due to concerns for the health and safety of its team members and customers related to COVID-19. The change of plans came after Hannahville Indian Community Tribal Chairperson Kenneth Meshigaud received correspondence from state of Michigan officials that made him rethink the reopening of the facility.

Today, two days after it was to re-open, Island Resort and Casino remains closed. Late last week, the Island Resort and Casino, owned and operated by the Hannahville Indian Community in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, announced plans to reopen on May 6.

The island resort and casino