'I just don't think its the right time to introduce that type of exposure in a large setting,' Humboldt County Health Officer Dr.
'The public health officer has come out and said, 'we don't believe this is a good time for them to open up right now, and we strongly recommend that they do not,'' Honsal said.
The casino can technically open without the county health officer's approval because the casino belongs to the people of Bear River Band of Rohnerville Rancheria, a sovereign nation that isn't bound by California law, according to Humboldt County Sheriff William Honsal.
Despite opposition by the Humboldt County health officer, some supervisors and the sheriff, the casino will continue with their plan to reopen their doors after being closed for nearly two months.