Bellagio, MGM Grand, Caesars Resorts to Reopen in Las Vegas on June 4
Multiple casino-resorts plan to open their doors amid COVID-19 world restrictions and new safety protocols.
by Etan Vlessing FACEBOOK TWITTER EMAIL MEMajor Las Vegas resorts are targeting June 4 for a planned reopening date.
MGM Resorts International on Wednesday said it will reopen its Bellagio, New York-New York, MGM Grand Las Vegas and The Signature casino-resorts early next month after earlier shutting down all of its U.S. properties amid the novel coronavirus crisis.
Caesars Entertainment, which operates Caesars Palace and Flamingo properties, also said that it is aiming for June 4 as the date it will resume operations with "enhanced health and safety protocols" at those locations.
MGM Resorts will reopen the Las Vegas casinos initially with limited restaurants and other amenities. The casinos will also reopen with a seven-point safety plan designed to protect guests and employees at the casinos, including the use of temperature checks, no more buffet-style meals, plexiglass barriers and handwashing stations on gaming floors.
"As we plan for these openings, the health and safety of our guests and employees is at the forefront of all we do. Getting many of our employees back to work and welcoming guests through our doors once again will allow us to do what we do best — entertain," Bill Hornbuckle, MGM Resorts' acting CEO and president, said in a statement.
In Nevada, as of Wednesday, there have been 8,113 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 396 deaths, according to the state's Department of Health and Human Services.
The casino operator in March unveiled a MGM Resorts Foundation's Emergency Relief Fund with an initial $1 million donation after MGM Resorts had to lay off employees during the novel coronavirus spread. Before they return to work, the Las Vegas gaming industry has offered to test MGM Resorts employees for the COVID-19 virus at the Las Vegas Convention Center, and as additional properties on the Las Vegas Strip reopen.
Positive results will be provided to employees within 48 hours and will also be forwarded to the Southern Nevada Health District for contact tracing.