Caesars Entertainment and MGM Resorts International have become the latest operators to secure approval to return to full capacity at their land-based casinos in Las Vegas, Nevada, with social distancing measures also set to be eased.
The Nevada Gaming Control Board (NGCB) gave the all-clear to both operators to significantly ease novel coronavirus (Covid-19) restrictions at their casinos in Las Vegas, with the properties now set to return to near-normal operations.
However, the easing of measures will only apply to the casino gaming floor, with all other areas of the properties still subject to 80% occupancy restrictions and three-feet social distancing policies.
Caesars will return to 100% fire code capacity, without social distancing, on the casino floor at Bally’s Las Vegas, Caesars Palace Las Vegas, The Cromwell, Flamingo Las Vegas, Harrah’s Las Vegas, The LINQ Hotel + Experience, Paris Las Vegas, Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino and Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino.
Staff will still be required to wear masks at all times, while guests will also need to wear a mask unless smoking, eating or drinking. Guests who have been fully vaccinated can remove their masks when seated at any of the resorts’ pool areas.
Caesars said that the easing of restrictions comes after the NGCB recognized the operator’s efforts to vaccinate its workforce in the state.
“We are grateful to our team members who have chosen to be vaccinated and will continue to offer incentives and provide easy, on-site access to vaccines for all of our team members in Las Vegas,” Caesars’ chief executive Tom Reeg said.
“While this shift is encouraging, we understand that the battle is not yet won, and it is through a continued commitment to health and safety that Las Vegas can most quickly rebound.”
The same easing of restrictions will also apply to MGM and its Las Vegas properties, which include the Bellagio Resort & Casino, ARIA Resort & Casino, MGM Grand Hotel & Casino, Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino, Park MGM, The Mirage Hotel & Casino, New York-New York Hotel & Casino, Luxor Hotel and Casino and Excalibur Hotel & Casino.
MGM also noted approval from the NGCB to relax certain measures came in response to its efforts to vaccinate its Las Vegas casino workforce.
“This is yet another major milestone in Las Vegas’ incredible recovery and a testament to the importance of vaccination in the effort to fully reopen our community,” MGM Resorts chief executive and president Bill Hornbuckle said.
“We will continue working to vaccinate as many people as possible and remain vigilant with health and safety protocols designed to protect our employees, guests and community.”
In recent weeks, the NGCB has also allowed certain Covid-19 restrictions to be eased at Wynn Las Vegas and Encore, The Cosmopolitan, The Strat, Silverton Casino and Station Casinos properties.
As of May 11, the moving 14-day average for positive Covid-19 tests in Nevada was 216, while the 14-day new average of daily deaths was three. Nevada has a population of roughly 3.1 million.