Coronavirus Closure: Graton Resort & Casino To Pay All Employees

ROHNERT PARK, CA — Graton Resort & Casino is shutting its doors for the rest of March amid the coronavirus crisis in California and beyond. Effective at 5 p.m. Tuesday, Graton is closing and is not expected to reopen until April 1 or further notice, according to a statement from the casino and resort in Rohnert Park.

"All team members will continue to get paid (including average tip rates) and will keep all of their benefits," said Greg Sarris, Chairman, Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria. "This is a time for generosity, for all employers to ensure the continued well-being of their employees."

Graton Resort & Casino employs a full-time staff of nearly 2,000, making it one of Sonoma County's largest private employers.

As of Sunday — when California Gov. Gavin Newsom asked all bars, wineries and nightclubs to close and residents age 65 and older, along with those with chronic health conditions, to stay home in an effort to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus — there were five confirmed cases of coronavirus/ COVID-19, in Sonoma County.

The county is planning a virtual town hall at 7 p.m. Tuesday to update county residents and community members on COVID-19.