Here’s What You Need to Know About Las Vegas Reopening after COVID-19
Las Vegas casinos began to welcome visitors on June 4, 2020. Gaming companies have generally taken a phased approach, gradually opening more properties as demand warrants, and staggering the debut of amenities within their massive resorts. Realizing they couldn’t stay closed forever, casinos began crafting their own health and safety plans.
Conventions are also big business in Las Vegas. As of Oct. 1, the city increased its attendee cap at meetings to 250 people or 50 percent of a venue’s capacity, whichever is fewer. Groups of up to 1,000 are permitted to convene in larger facilities, as long there aren’t more than 250 people (or 50 percent capacity) in each ballroom. The state simultaneously released an extensive, 22-page document, “Nevada Guidelines for Safe Gatherings,” which details requirements for meetings and events in a wide variety of venues and situations. (State of Nevada, 2020)
Outdoor Meeting Venues
The Wynn and other hotels are promoting outdoor venues for meeting spaces. The trend to provide outdoor event options in Las Vegas is likely to serve the venues well in the era of reducing virus risks. The recent MGM Grand Conference Center expansion also added some open-air space, in the form of a 5,500-square-foot outdoor courtyard. The $130 million expansion brought the facility’s total meeting square footage to 850,000 and added a whole floor of health-focused Stay Well Meetings rooms in the process. (Shapiro, 2020)
So you can see, tourism is the lifeline of Las Vegas, and Las Vegas is responding responsibly and with momentum.
Clubs, Pools and Lounges
Unfortunately, at the time of publication, the clubs in Las Vegas remain closed. People dancing, drinking on a bar stool and alcohol prove too much to control at this point. Clubs are all about having unbridled fun, and we’re just not there yet. You can find an updated list of closed and open clubs with restriction area establishments on the Vegas Primer website.
While clubs have not reopened, some have temporarily transformed into socially distant pool and lounge experiences. While you get the vibe of the venue with music and table side bottle service, you can also socialize in small intimate groups. You’ll need to “purchase” a table in order to be on the guest list.
Pools have reduced hours and offer a purchased table arrangement like the clubs and there is a spending minimum.
What’s Changed in Gambling?
Gambling and Vegas are synonymous with each other. When we say Vegas, the images that come to mind are slot machines, blackjack tables, and groups of people trying their luck at winning big.
Things have changed, and the city is committed and determined to do whatever’s needed to make things work for visitors who wish to gamble.
The Nevada Gaming Control Board has 18 specific guidelines in place that casinos must follow to operate. Also, individual properties have submitted their plans, which have Board approval before they reopen.
The maximum number of players allowed on a craps table is six and for a blackjack table is four. A roulette or poker table can have a maximum of four players. Slot machines must have adequate spacing, or every other chair removed. The board also says that a property’s occupancy must not be above 50% of its standard capacity.
All casinos are following strict sanitization and disinfection procedures. Noninvasive thermal cameras have been installed at entry points to check a person’s temperature. Hand sanitizing stations, access to disinfecting wipes, and regular disinfection of public spaces are some of the measures that casinos have adopted.
Rapid COVID Testing?
Yes, it could be offered as soon as late November 2020. A saliva test will be performed at a central location before entrance to a club, pool or casino. This can be a game-changer. Stay tuned!
Elite Care on the Strip has Rapid COVID testing for those in an emergency healthcare situation and need to know 100% if they have contracted the virus. We’re open 24/7 and ready to serve you now as we navigate the remainder of the pandemic and long into the future. We’re here for visitors and residents alike.
Works Cited
Nevada Health Response. (2020, October 15). NEVADA GUIDANCE FOR SAFE GATHERINGS Celebrations, Ceremonies, and Events. Retrieved October 26, 2020, from https://nvhealthresponse.nv.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/COVID-19-Safe-Gatherings-Guidance-NVHealthResponse.pdf
Shapiro, Michael J. Las Vegas: What’s Open and What’s Coming: Successful Meetings. 14 Oct. 2020, www.successfulmeetings.com/News/Destinations/Las-Vegas-what-is-open.
Phillips, Jenna. “Reopen Dates: Las Vegas Nightclubs & Pool Parties.” Vegas Primer, 26 Oct. 2020, vegasprimer.com/covid-19-club-update/.
