There have been two significant announcements concerning Las Vegas resorts this week — and both are of interest to the resorts and tourists alike.
The first announcement is that gaming floors are returning to 100 percent capacity. Perhaps equally important, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced that fully vaccinated people can resume activities without wearing a mask or physically distancing.
Let’s take a look at what both announcements mean to Las Vegas casinos.
Operating At Full Capacity
Las Vegas properties have been able to apply to the Nevada Gaming Control Board for waivers so their casinos can return to full capacity — based on workforce vaccination rates. The Gaming Board has granted those waivers, and consequently, gaming floors are now able to operate at full capacity. Here’s what that means.
Caesars Entertainment Inc.
As of Wednesday, all nine of Caesars Entertainment Inc.’s Las Vegas properties can operate their gaming floors at full capacity with no social distancing, a Las Vegas Review-Journal article reports. The properties include Bally’s, Caesars Palace, The Cromwell, Flamingo, Harrah’s, The Linq, Paris Las Vegas, Planet Hollywood, and Rio.
MGM
MGM Resorts International announced Wednesday that it can operate casino floors at 100 percent capacity with no social distancing at its resorts, the Las Vegas Review-Journal reports.
Properties covered by this announcement are the Bellagio, Aria, MGM Grand, Mandalay Bay, Park MGM, The Mirage, New York-New York, Luxor, and Excalibur.
Station Casinos
As of Wednesday, Station Casinos can operate casinos at full capacity at all of its properties, including Red Rock Resort, Green Valley Ranch, Palace Station, Boulder Station, Sunset Station, and Santa Fe Station, the Las Vegas Review-Journal article explains.
Wynn Las Vegas And Encore
On May 3, casino floors at Wynn Las Vegas and Encore were given permission to operate at 100 percent capacity and remove plexiglass dividers from table games and slot machines.
Strat, Cosmopolitan, And Silverton
The Strat, Cosmopolitan, and Silverton have also opened their gaming floors 100 percent.
Know Before You Go
If you are planning a trip to Las Vegas, you surely have other questions as well. Let’s look at some common questions about visiting Vegas right now.
Is Social Distancing Still Enforced?
Well, that depends. Social distancing is no longer required on the gaming floors, but restaurants, pools, and other non-gaming areas must still adhere to Clark County’s mandate of 80 percent occupancy restrictions with 3 feet of social distancing.
Are Masks Still Required?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced this week that fully vaccinated people can resume activities without wearing a mask or physically distancing. Shortly after that, Nevada Governor Steve Sisolak signed an emergency directive updating mask and face-covering requirements for Nevada so they align with those of the CDC effective immediately.
After that, MGM Resorts announced it will no longer require fully vaccinated guests to wear face coverings at its Las Vegas properties, effective noon Friday, May 14, KSNV NBC reports. Wynn Las Vegas and Encore have also begun explaining to guests that they are not required to wear a mask if they are fully vaccinated, but they are required to wear a mask if they are not vaccinated.
Caesars’ approach differs, though. At the time of writing, Caesars Entertainment’s mask policy reads: “Everyone indoors at all properties across the Caesars network are required to wear masks except when eating or drinking.”
Are Restaurants Fully Open, Too?
No. Under Clark County’s mandate, 80 percent occupancy restrictions and 3 feet of social distancing are still required in restaurants, pools, and other non-gaming areas and activities.
As always, if you are planning a trip to Las Vegas, be sure to check with the resort and other attractions you plan to visit in advance for details and guidance — especially since it’s all changing so rapidly.
Not going just yet but want to get inspiration for your Las Vegas vacation? Consider all our Vegas content here.
