MGM Resorts to reopen Bellagio, New York-New York, MGM Grand in Las Vegas

LAS VEGAS – MGM Resorts will reopen four properties on June 4: Bellagio, New York-New York, MGM Grand and The Signature.

In the wake of the unprecedented coronavirus pandemic shutdown, the long-awaited return of the resorts will come during phase two of Nevada's "Roadmap to Recovery" plan, reports the Reno Gazette Journal, which is part of the USA TODAY Network.

"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," said acting MGM Resorts CEO Bill Hornbuckle in a statement. “The team is ready and we can’t wait.”

June 4 is the first day Nevada casinos can reopen after being closed for almost three months.

The full list: When will Nevada's hotel-casinos reopen?

Here's what to expect

At the Bellagio, the famed fountains will be turned on.

The Conservatory will open with a new Japanese Spring Garden display called “Japan Journey: Magic of Kansai." 

Lounges such as Petrossian Bar and restaurants like Prime, Lago and The Mayfair Supper Club will also reopen.  

The pool and a selection of cabanas – as well as a salon and fitness center – will be open and available.

At New York-New York, the Big Apple Roller Coaster will ride again. 

Guests will also find a variety of bars, restaurants and shops will open, including Tom’s Urban and Hershey’s Chocolate World.

The pool and fitness center will open with a selection of cabanas available to guests.

At MGM Grand and The Signature, bars and lounges as well as casual and fine-dining venues including Craftsteak and Wolfgang Puck Bar & Grill will be open.

Cabanas will be available alongside a portion the pool. The salon and fitness center will be available to hotel guests.

Post-pandemic casinos

The casino experience in Las Vegas and greater Nevada will look much different. 

The Nevada Gaming Commission recently approved the Gaming Control Board's reopening policies, laying out what more than 400 large and small casinos need to do when shutdown orders are lifted.

Occupancy limits in gaming areas will be cut in half. Tourists will see chairs and stools in front of every other gaming machine. Gathering in groups – one time a staple of the Las Vegas experience – will be prohibited.  

Dealers will even offer card players a complimentary pump of hand sanitizer between hands.

Masks encouraged, sometimes required 

All employees will be required to wear masks – and guests will be strongly encouraged to do the same. 

In some areas – where physical distancing is difficult or barriers do not exist – guests will be required to wear masks: salons, certain table games where physical barriers are not in place and elevators, if riding with guests outside of their travel group.

Masks will be provided, free of charge.

All guest room attendants will wear masks and gloves while cleaning and change gloves between jobs.  

At a distance

A social distancing policy will be in place – with floor guides set up a reminders.

Plexiglass barriers will be installed in areas where physical distancing is a challenge, the company said. 

A contactless check-in system through the MGM Resorts app will allow hotel guests to go through the check-in process on their personal devices with minimal interactions. 

At restaurants, guests can expect digital menus to view on mobile devices. 

To stop groups congregating while they waiting for a table, guests will get text notifications when their seats are ready. 

Hand-washing stations will be on casino floors, and electrostatic sprayers will be used to apply disinfectant. 

What if you test positive during your stay?

MGM is asking any guest who tests positive after visiting one of the reopened properties to send an alert to covid19@mgmresorts.com.

The company will report any positive test results to health officials. 

Ed Komenda writes about Las Vegas for the Reno Gazette Journal and USA Today Network.

This article originally appeared on Reno Gazette Journal: Las Vegas reopening: Bellagio, New York-New York, MGM Grand opening