SAULT STE. MARIE — The Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians’ government and the Kewadin Casinos have extended the temporary closure of the tribal government and all five casinos until June 1.

“The tribe’s highest priority is the safety of its employees and community members during the COVID-19 pandemic,” tribal officials said in a press release Friday.

The tribal board of directors declared a state of emergency March 17 and gave the tribe’s executive director, casino CEO and EDC director temporary powers, including closures, “that are deemed essential to the protection of the public,” officials said in a news release.

All personnel except essential services will stay at home to help limit the spread of the coronavirus.

Around 480 essential service personnel are working to continue providing needed services to the membership and the programs that support membership services.

Governmental team members’ emergency pay will continue with the exception of seasonal team members and those who may be given lay-off status. Team members should contact their supervisors with any questions, officials said in the release.

Kewadin Casinos is working to adjust services for reopening with appropriate social distancing measures. Casino team members are also receiving emergency pay, except those who volunteered to take a temporary furlough. Team members on furlough are still receiving benefits and will be brought back as business demand ramps up, officials said.

Tribal Chairperson Aaron Payment and the Sault Tribe Board of Directors said in a press release that they would like Kewadin, governmental and enterprise team members, Sault Tribe members and patrons to know: “We place your safety and health at a premium. We are working in a unified way to ensure we maximize our opportunities to bring resources home to allow us to keep you safe.”

For more information about the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians, visit www.saulttribe.com.

For more information about Kewadin Casinos, visit www.Kewadin.com and its Facebook page @kewadincasinos.

Follow the tribe’s official Facebook page @saulttribe for news and updates during the emergency shutdown.