Arkansas’s three casinos can reopen only when state officials are confident the spread of coronavirus is on the decline and the casino industry makes changes to protect the health of customers and staff, Gov. Asa Hutchinson said.

“I am confident we will get there,” the Republican governor said in a written statement late Wednesday afternoon.

But at this time, the date for a decision on reopening the casinos will “depend upon the health data, the progress we make” and adjustments made by casinos, Hutchinson said.

Department of Health Secretary Nate Smith said Wednesday in an interview, “I do have concerns about casinos just because they are particularly high-risk.