Task Force Gets Serious About Second Wave

The Kahnawake COVID-19 Task Force has asked the Mohawk Council of Kahnawake (MCK) for another extension of the State of Emergency. The MCK will debate the issue and rule on it at their next meeting on Monday September 21st. The Task Force is keeping a close eye on the increase of positive cases in the surrounding areas. They are concerned the coronavirus will make its return to Kahnawake for the first time in almost three months.

Meanwhile the Task Force is putting the brakes on increasing the number of people permitted inside a public space (50) as well as in private homes (10) in the community. “At the current time we find that it would not be consistent to increase the numbers in the public venues and the private venues. We want to see what’s going on,” said Task Force member Arnold Lazare on Kahnawake 911 on Facebook on Wednesday afternoon. That will affect the gaming houses in Kahnawake which were at 50 when they opened two weeks ago on September 4th. Both Magic Palace an Playground Poker then expanded to allowing 100 guests inside at a time on Friday September 11th. They had both planned to increase by another 50 patrons this coming Friday the 18th. “The increase will be delayed in the gaming institutions. The numbers will be delayed until we find out what is happening around us. The increase in gaming numbers will be on hold.

Louie John Diabo is the Internal Compliance Officer and Community Relations at Magic Palace. He issued a statement to K1037 News. “We understand the decision of the Task Force and will respect the 100 person limit as safety is paramount for us as well,” Diabo said. The Task Force have a huge responsibility in guiding us all to help protect Kahnawake, so we support their decision and will continue to work with them and the Kahnawake Gaming Commission daily in a collaborative fashion to protect our clients, employees and the Kahnawake community.”