Coronavirus – Las Vegas 04 June to open

Nearly three months have passed in the Nevada desert without the constant bells, whistles, neon lights, clanging coins or cheers of people. Las Vegas is set to reopen on 4 June.

After the state has recorded two straight weeks of declining numbers of Covid-19 cases and hospital admissions Governor Steve Sisolak set 4 June to reopen casinos across the state.

According to the Nevada Resort Association casinos have put in place enhanced health and safety plans and protocols. The industry is excited to showcase the changes to preserve the customer experiences whilst protecting the well being of their employees.

Even if you hit the jackpot the experience is going to be a lot quieter for the time being.

There are restrictions on gaming across the state. These include allowing only four people at a roulette table and only six people at a craps table. Poker tables will be restricted to four participants and at Blackjack tables only three players will be allowed.

Plastic partitions will protect and separate dealers from players and players from each other. There will be closures of slot machines designed to keep players away from each other.

General Manager of Caesars Palace says that players will witness a lot of social distancing and it is up to their employees to ensure that this is adhered to. He still assures visitors that there will still be colour and activity but not all machines will be in use.

All properties will demonstrate enhanced hygiene procedures with more regular cleaning of surfaces. The capacity of casinos will be reduced to 50% with onsite restaurants, bars and meeting places open but to reduced capacity to allow patrons keeping safe distances from each other.

The major resorts are also saying that pools, cabanas and fitness areas will be opening up as well.

Those of us in the UK are still not welcome to arrive in the States but at least there is a sense that we are seeing light at the end of the tunnel.