Las Vegas’ MGM Resorts casinos to open at full capacity

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:

• The Nevada Gaming Control Board has approved the reopening of nine casinos of MGM Resorts in Las Vegas.
• The gaming floors will be reopened at full capacity while the non-gaming floors will open at 80 percent capacity.
•  Other casinos in the area have also reopened.

According to a press release from MGM Resorts, the Nevada Gaming Control Board has agreed to the reopening of its nine casinos following an inoculation campaign that provides vaccination to all of its workers.

A waiver was approved by the Board and there will be no more social distancing restrictions to be observed.

Per the waiver, casinos that will open will be the following: 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, the Luxor Hotel and Casino and the Excalibur Hotel & Casino.

Only the gaming floors will be opened with 100-percent capacity, per the waiver. The other non-gaming floors such as restaurants, pools and other amenities will remain at 80 percent capacity with three-feet social distancing protocols, the company announced.

Other COVID-19 safety measures such as wearing of face masks will remain as part of regulatory policies and health guidance.

“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,” said MGM Resorts CEO and President Bill Hornbuckle in a statement.

“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. This vital work must continue for us to defeat this virus, and MGM Resorts is committed to doing our part to get it done,” he added.

According to the Associated Press, several casinos in Las Vegas have also opened at full capacity like the Wynn Las Vegas, the Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas and Encore.

Per the AP, those establishments had also shown proof to the Gaming Control Board that at least 80 percent of their workers had already obtained their first dose of the vaccine.

Last July, MGM Resorts International announced that it was considering reducing the bulk of employees working in the sports and entertainment divisions as the company struggled to make a living due to the COVID-19 lockdowns. At the time, the company said it would like to regain back its laid-off workers once they restart the business.

Source: The Hill