Vegas casinos reopen & social distancing rules
After seventy-eight days of quarantine and mounting pressure, Gov. Steve Sisolak gave all Nevada casinos June 4 as a tentative reopening date. This decision is a reaction to sky-rocketing unemployment rates and the fact that casinos in other states opened their doors to customers.
Yes, Vegas properties have penciled in a grand reopening for early June and the stakes could not be any higher. The gambling mecca of the US closed overnight in March due to the mounting global pandemic. The lockdown occurred right as the state was in the middle of a major hot streak with three consecutive $1 billion months in statewide casino winnings.
After seventy-eight days of quarantine and mounting pressure, Gov. Steve Sisolak gave all Nevada casinos June 4 as a tentative reopening date. This decision is a reaction to sky-rocketing unemployment rates and the fact that casinos in other states opened their doors to customers.
The number of jobs in the food and hospitality business in Nevada is down 41% compared to the same time last year. The state’s unemployment rate hit 28.2% this April, the worst in the entire country. Unemployment benefits paid off in the past two months have totaled more than $1.6 billion. This move was more or less mandatory, as the financial blow the state is facing is staggering.
However, when Vegas casinos do open it will not be business as usual. Seven days before reopening each establishment will have to submit a plan that will include details on how they will enforce social distancing and increase their sanitation policies. All resorts will only be able to operate at 50% of their capacity under the new stringent rules.
Vegas social distancing rules
● Limited number of players at all tables
● Blackjack seats will be cut down to three from standard six
● Only four players will be allowed to play poker and roulette at a time
● Slot machines are expected to be unavailable or spread apart
Nevertheless, playing the best online slots in the USA on a smartphone is always an option.
All casinos must also make sure to disinfect all soft and hard surfaces per CDC guidelines. Hotels and restaurants will encourage guests to use smartphones to read menus and for touchless room check-ins. The larger resorts will provide free masks to all guests but will not require their use.
However, despite these measures, not all casinos will reopen so soon. Companies in the resort corridor are planning to slowly roll out properties starting with a handful. Caesars Entertainment will open with the Flamingo and the Caesars Palace, while MGM International will kick things off with New York-New York and the Bellagio. A spokesperson for Boyd Gaming Corp. said that they still don’t know how many of their 12 Nevada casinos they will reopen, and will announce their decision at a later date.
The Sands Corp announced the reopening of the Venetian, and its hotel will accept guests starting June 1. Station Casinos and Wynn Resorts have announced that their eateries will reopen in the last days of May.
If you’re planning on visiting Las Vegas, look for signs that will remind you to – wash your hands, keep a reasonable distance, and limit elevator rides to four people. Everyone inside will have to wear a face-covering of some sort, and there will be temperature checks for visitors before entering a casino. One relief is the suspension of parking fees. New Vegas visitors should always research and locate the best gaming establishment for their specific needs.
There’s a multi-tier plan in place on how to reopen the whole city. Casinos are only the first step. It’s still unknown if the second one will include night clubs, bars, gyms, spas, and other resort amenities. So, it’s hard to tell when things will be back to “normal”, if ever.
While there will be no concerts, buffets, or events on hand, the premium activity Vegas offers, gambling, will be available to everyone that can manage to grab one of few open seats. It will just look and feel very different, for now.