Nevada Gov. Sisolak Plans to Reopen Businesses – Not Restaurants and Casinos – by May 15
Posted on: April 30, 2020, 09:42h.
Last updated on: May 1, 2020, 10:27h.
Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak unveiled the first part of his COVID-19 recovery program for the state Thursday, saying he wants to begin reopening businesses on May 15, if not sooner. However, casinos will not be among those getting the initial go-ahead to unlock their doors.
Those first businesses will still face restrictions on how they can operate, and the public will have to abide by social distancing and other health regulations, including wearing masks or other face coverings.
Sisolak’s plan will allow non-essential businesses to open voluntarily under these strict guidelines, with bars, restaurants, casinos, and malls still remaining closed. Sisolak noted that concerns about crowd sizes and the inability to consistently maintain at least six feet of distance in those spaces make them too much of a risk for the time being.
Social gatherings of more than 10 people will also still be prohibited.
The plan is for local counties to become more involved in the recovery process, allowing them to make decisions. However, counties will first need to present their plans to the state, with their guidelines meeting or exceeding state requirements.
“Our response efforts should reflect our regional differences, while still operating under our shared, statewide goal of keeping Nevadans safe and restarting our economy,” Sisolak posted on Twitter Thursday evening.
The Democratic governor still urged Nevadans to limit any trips and make them only for essential items. Those with health issues or exhibiting symptoms, however, must remain home.
The reopening plan announcement came one day after Sisolak announced that the state’s stay-at-home order will be extended to May 15.
Nevada GCB Will Make Call on Casinos
Sisolak remained vague when pressed by reporters on the time frame for reopening Nevada’s casinos and other gaming businesses. In short, the Nevada Gaming Control Board (GCB) will make the final determination.
The Governor said he’s had ongoing talks with gaming industry executives and labor leaders for casino unions. That’s in addition to the conversations GCB Chair Sandra Douglass Morgan had with those individuals.
They’re providing plans for their openings on (an) individual basis,” he said. “These are confidential plans that aren’t shared with each other. She will develop a plan that will work for gaming, and I’m going to leave it up to her and the statistics to determine how quickly that can be.”
While that won’t be at the beginning of the first phase of the COVID-19 reopening plan, Sisolak insinuated that casinos could possibly reopen at some point in that phase on a county-by-county basis. Officials expect phase one to last about two or three weeks.
That could, potentially, allow Clark County, home to Las Vegas and the Strip casinos based just outside the city, to allow casinos to open earlier if they can also get GCB approval.
Some Casinos Pushing for Early Reopening
Some casinos, such as Phil Ruffin’s Treasure Island, have been pushing for a mid-May opening that doesn’t seem likely. Others, such as Wynn Resorts and Caesars Entertainment, have started taking reservations for Memorial Day weekend.
However, in a statement sent to Casino.org last weekend, Wynn said it was accepting reservations on a contingency basis.
“We are accepting reservation beginning Memorial Day weekend, because it has consistently been a popular time for Southern California tourists to visit Las Vegas,” Wynn’s statement read. “We hope that by then we may see local, smaller business re-open, testing in significantly greater capacity, and, in parallel, a decline in confirmed COVID cases. We can have all of our protective guest and employee measures in place by that time. Clearly, this decision will be made by regulators and the Governor and we will follow their direction.”
Other Strip properties aren’t as aggressive. MGM Resorts International is not taking any reservations until June, while the Venetian Resort has suspended taking reservations for the time being.
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Last Comments ( 7 )
Fastidious replies in return of this issue with real arguments and explaining everything on the topic of that.
I agree! Let the people decide if they want to go into a Casino. I am old enough to make my own decisions. Put Las Vegas back to work. If some people are still cautious let them stay in. No one is forcing them to go out. Also, How would people drink if have a mask on. If they left it up or take off to sip, Why wear one??
This will be a tough assignment for the Casinos to maintain 6 feet social distancing. I live in Arizona and visit Nevada every year for sports gambling and every year I catch a cold or flu from the Casinos because no one maintains 6 ft distance, and very few wear masks. The attraction brings many people from all over the world and some bring viruses and bugs with them; just the nature of the beast. A strong immune system usually wins over the virus, but the weak will perish. Masks and social distancing will prevent most viruses from spreading. Do not allow anyone with a high temperature in or if they are coughing, sneezing, or wheezing keep them out. and all should be wearing masks inside the Casino.
Yes all the governors are in this together first step to government control over the general public if america does not wake up their will be another civil war
He must be related to Utah Governor they both are stupid this was the stupidest thing this country done stay home be safe stay 6 feet away shut down this is the first step to socialism
Sweden never shut down and has a lower covid rate than US. So, stop being a sheep: https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.nationalreview.com/2020/05/coronavirus-crisis-sweden-refused-lockdown-other-countries-following/amp/ Like the old political saying: If you’re age 25 & not liberal you have no heart. If you’re age 35 & not conservative you have no brain. Now, WHO says Sweden is the future model for pandemics: https://www.nydailynews.com/coronavirus/ny-coronavirus-who-emergency-expert-20200430-rsa3s3lm6bfk3fjofw3oezzrxu-story.html
Just another DEMOCRAT trying to change the country by taking over our rights! Open up Las Vegas and let the people make the decision to go to a casino or not. the dems are taking away our constitutional rights