Las Vegas Re-Opening

As of July 15th, all casinos in Nevada are open to visitors and locals. While cities like Las Vegas are following strict health and safety guidelines, you can still look forward to a comfortable an enjoyable experience. From mandatory masks to enhanced cleaning protocols and even plastic shielding innovations between slot machines, casinos are helping to set new health and safety standards for the gambling mecca. We partnered with Online United States Casinos to bring you these two articles. If you would like to read more check out OUSC's article here.

But what do you need to know before you travel to the silver state, and what requirements and protocols will you need to follow once you’re here? Let’s take a look at information and examples specific to Las Vegas, to help you make informed choices about your trip and be prepared for what to expect once you arrive.

Do I have to wear a mask everywhere in the city?

Masks/face coverings are mandated in Nevada for anyone in any public space, such as when using public transportation, any public facing work environments, when patronizing businesses, or interacting with others in any general, publicly accessible space. This includes while you’re walking down Las Vegas Boulevard Strip or while in the pedestrian mall at the Fremont Street Experience, downtown.

Here are a few examples of how some hotel/casino resorts are helping visitors prepare:

• If you don’t happen to have a mask,

Caesars Palace is offering masks to everyone who enters the building. If you miss your chance to get one at the entrance or you need a new one, the front desk will be able to provide you one.

• Masks are mandatory at the MGM Grand Resort unless you are in your room or physically in the pool. If you’re a guest of the hotel, you will receive two complimentary masks which are available in your room upon entry. If you need an additional mask, the front desk will provide you a new one. Masks are also being distributed to patrons and guests who need them, on the casino floor.

• Masks are also mandatory at the Venetian. The hotel provides complimentary masks to all guests staying in the suites. Security provides a thermal scan at the entrance to the hotel/casino and will provide a mask to anyone entering without. For the safety and wellbeing of fellow guests and patrons, if someone declines to wear a mask, that person will not be allowed in the building. If masks are taken off while in the building, that person will be asked to leave. You are not required to wear a mask while you are eating, sitting at the slot machines while drinking, or sitting at table games if you are drinking or smoking.

Of course there are always exceptions which include those:

• Children under two;

• With a medical condition or disability preventing the removal of a face covering. A nonrestrictive alternative, such as a face shield should be worn, if possible;

• Hearing impaired or in communication with a hearing-impaired individual;

• Obtaining services involving the nose or face for which temporary removal of the face covering is necessary to perform the service.

• Engaged in outdoor work or recreation when alone or with household members and able to maintain social distance.

• Seated at a restaurant or other venue that offers food or beverage services, while they are eating or drinking and able to maintain social distance.

• Those whom wearing a face covering would create a risk related to their work, as determined by local, state, or federal regulators or workplace safety guidelines.

• Homeless; and

• Incarcerated

Masks or face coverings are expected. To avoid conflict with the mandate, to keep yourself and others safe, and to be as comfortable as possible, it is worth being prepared.

What happens if I don’t follow these requirements?

Businesses have been tasked with enforcing the mandatory mask directive. Businesses may be fined or have their business/gaming/liquor license suspended or revoked if they are not in compliance of the directive. In addition, OSHA has the option to fine businesses if those businesses are not compliant with the directive.

While it is unlikely that an individual will be arrested or fined for not wearing a mask, they may be asked to leave an establishment or refused service if they are not willing to wear a mask, as in the examples of the hotel/casino resorts above. It is in each business’s best interest to make sure patrons and guests follow all requirements and protocols, to ensure a safe and healthy environment and to avoid costly punishment.

What if I need to get my workout in?

Temperatures in Las Vegas can reach upwards of 115 degrees during the summer, which in most cases makes outdoor physical activities challenging. The good news is gyms are open with some restrictions in Las Vegas. Smaller gyms can only accommodate ten people or less and larger gyms are capped at 50% occupancy rate. If you’re looking forward to a workout, your best bet may be the hotel gym.

Here are a few examples of how some hotel/casino resorts are managing the health and safety of guests and staff.

• The gym at Caesars Palace is open twelve hours daily. Security personnel monitor gym capacity, social distancing, and mandatory mask requirements. There are no exceptions for masks in the gym.

• The gym at the MGM Grand Resort is open eight hours daily. Masks are mandatory while lifting weights. Visitors engaged in cardio/running are not required to wear a mask.

• The gym at the Venetian is open ten hours daily. A mask is mandatory for all visitors with no exceptions.

It’s good to know that you can look forward to a safe workout.

I’m hungry. Can I order food to my hotel room?

Some hotel/casinos offer contactless room service options. Many do not. However, you can be rest assured from the kitchen to your room, Las Vegas hotel staff is taking the utmost care to ensure your meal is created and delivered to you under the safest conditions.

Here are a few examples of how some hotel/casino resorts are handling room service for guests.

• At Caesars Place, standard room service from the room service menu is available for eight hours during breakfast and lunch. Delivery from restaurants is unavailable. If you would prefer the restaurant, dine in or take out are available. Guests can pick it up at the restaurant and take it to their room.

• At the MGM Grand Resort, standard room service is available. Delivery from restaurants is unavailable. If you would prefer the restaurant, dine in or take out are available.

• The Venetian offers standard room service options. Delivery from restaurants is unavailable. If you would prefer the restaurant, a take-out option is available.

• The Bellagio offers two options for contactless room service. Take out options are available from hotel restaurants, however delivery from hotel restaurants in unavailable.

Shopping is life. Will stores be open?

Retail stores and dispensaries are open, and yes, masks are required for both employees and patrons. The same applies to essential businesses such as grocery and convenient stores, and pharmacies that have remained open to the public. In addition to requiring masks, all shops must maintain social distancing protocols as well as any lowered capacity requirements, when applicable.

Here are a few examples of how some hotel/casino resorts are helping visitors prepare.

• The Forum Shops at Caesars Palace, which operates under Simon Malls, is

promoting and enforcing social distancing practices , including occupancy limitations, furniture and restroom spacing, closure of play areas and strollers, as well as coordinated traffic flow with traffic signage and distance markers. Masks and hand sanitizing stations will also be available.

• For both the MGM and Venetian, other than the requirement to wear masks, all shops are open for business as usual.

I need a ride. Will public transportation be available? What do I need to know?

The Regional Transit Authority (RTC) of Southern Nevada has developed a safety plan for the wellbeing of riders and drivers. Riders are expected to:

• Wear a mask

• Keep six feet between themselves and others.

RTC will ensure:

• Vehicles will be cleaned daily with hospital grade disinfectant.

• Implementing longer and double deck busses for more social distancing space.

• Adding additional busses to make sure there is always space.

• Reminding riders to social distancing using signage.

• Encouraging the rideRTC app for contactless boarding.

• Vehicles will be retrofitted with driver enclosures.

• Ensuring up to date Covid-19 information is available on the RTC website.

• Ensuring employees and contractors stay healthy and practice safe social distancing.

According to the Nevada Medical Advisory Team Guidance regarding the mandatory face covering directive signed by Governor Sisolak, masks must be worn on public or private transportation or paratransit that others have used or will use:

• While waiting for or riding on public transportation or paratransit.

• While riding in taxis, private car services, monorails, trams and rideshares like Uber and Lyft.

• While driving or operating any form of transportation or paratransit when passengers not in your same household are present. When no passengers are present, face coverings are still strongly recommended.

Are there late hour or curfew restrictions?

Las Vegas is the city that never sleeps. There are no current curfew restrictions on adults or minors accompanied by adults in the city and in casinos. You can expect casinos and many businesses such as fast food, grocery, and convenient stores to remain open 24/7. Minors that are not accompanied by adults, must not be on the strip or in downtown areas between 10pm and 5am, Sunday through Thursday and 12am and 5am, Friday and Saturday.

I’ve landed. What are the McCarran International Airport protocols?

During you flight, you should have been required to wear a mask. That does not change once you have deboarded. Masks are required, but there is no quarantine period for visitors on arrival to Las Vegas, and only ticketed passengers and employees are allowed in the terminal. Most airlines are running at a reduced capacity. With fewer national flights to and from Las Vegas, it may be wise to book early.

Currently, there are no restrictions on travel within the domestic U.S. However, the White House announced that starting March 13, travel is restricted to the U.S. from most of Europe for 30 days. This restriction does not apply to U.S. citizens or their family members. Travel is also restricted to those who have been in China and/or Iran during the last 14 days

This will be our family vacation. Can kids travel to Vegas?

All ages are welcome to visit Las Vegas, keeping in mind masks or face coverings are required for everyone 3 and older.

Is this the right time for everyone to travel to Vegas?

This is a very personal question. Las Vegas welcomes everyone who comes to visit as long as visitors are willing to meet health and safety expectation of residents and other visitors. We want to make Las Vegas a safe destination. That being said, travel may increase your chances of getting infected and spreading COVID-19, and just because you can travel, doesn’t necessarily mean you should.

Here are the facts:

The CDC recommends older adults and travelers with underlying health issues should avoid situations that put them at increased risk for more severe disease including long plane rides avoiding crowded places, avoiding non-essential travel such as long plane trips.

Elderly adults 85 and older are at the highest risk for severe illness. The largest group of adults at risk are 65 and over, with eight out of ten deaths in this age group.

People of any age with the following conditions are at increased risk of severe illness from COVID-19:

• Chronic kidney disease

• COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease)

• Immunocompromised state (weakened immune system) from solid organ transplant

• Obesity (body mass index [BMI] of 30 or higher)

• Serious heart conditions, such as heart failure, coronary artery disease, or cardiomyopathies

• Sickle cell disease

• Type 2 diabetes mellitus

• Children who are medically complex, who have neurologic, genetic, metabolic conditions, or who have congenital heart disease are at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19 than other children.

Based on what is known at this time, people with the following conditions might be at an increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19:

• Asthma (moderate-to-severe)

• Cerebrovascular disease (affects blood vessels and blood supply to the brain)

• Cystic fibrosis

• Hypertension or high blood pressure

• Immunocompromised state (weakened immune system) from blood or bone marrow transplant, immune deficiencies, HIV, use of corticosteroids, or use of other immune weakening medicines

• Neurologic conditions, such as dementia

• Liver disease

• Pregnancy

• Pulmonary fibrosis (having damaged or scarred lung tissues)

• Smoking

• Thalassemia (a type of blood disorder)

• Type 1 diabetes mellitus

I’m on vacation in Las Vegas, but I think I may be infected, what do I do?

The most important thing to do is self-quarantine. If you are staying at a hotel in Las Vegas, the hotel likely shared some information about what to do and your next steps. If the hotel does not offer this information during check in, make sure to ask them if they have a hotline or specific protocols to follow.

Here are a few examples of how some hotel/casino resorts are helping visitors prepare.

• Caesars Palace asks that you call security to inform them of the potential infection. All security personnel are trained in basic medical techniques and can walk you through the next steps. EMT and paramedics can be called and are available at any time.

• MGM Resorts ask that you call security and they will assist as needed.

• The Venetian asks that you call security and ask for an EMT.

Not sure if you have the Covid-19 virus, but you want more information? The Southern Nevada Health District website answers questions about testing locations, provides a local Covid-19 information phone number (702-759-4636), and gives links to the CDC’s self-checker and FAQ pages.

Is there an app for that?

Is there a Coronavirus app people are required to be registered on? The U.S. does not have an app that requires citizens to register their Covid-19 health status and symptoms. This is another reason to be vigilant when traveling, moving about in public and when wearing a mask. Opening Las Vegas has not been without its challenges. Healing both the economy and ensuring the health of residents and visitors requires balance, communication and cooperation.

Nevada Governor, Steve Sisolak has taken a cautious approach to reopening the state, relying on health officials and the Nevada Medical Advisory Team. The welfare of businesses and the wellbeing of the community have been taken into consideration as they work to help, prepare, and offer support to Nevada communities, putting protocols in place to help keep the city healthy, open, and a safe destination for travelers.

Flights to Las Vegas are increasing. Vacationers are making plans to travel to Las Vegas. The local community along with its hotels and casinos will continue to welcome new and return guests, taking pleasure in knowing that those guests had a choice, and they chose Las Vegas. As Nevada continues to navigate the Covid-19 pandemic, the city of Las Vegas will continue to face the challenge by supporting its community and the businesses that help the city flourish.