The Venetian, Caesars Palace Could Temporarily Shutter as Some Nevada Businesses Disregard Mask Rule
Posted on: July 4, 2020, 10:38h.
Last updated on: July 6, 2020, 11:08h.
Some Las Vegas casinos could voluntarily temporarily close their doors because of coronavirus worries, following what is promising to be a generally upbeat July 4 weekend for gaming properties and tourism.
“We hear some Las Vegas casinos could close temporarily due to COVID-19 concerns,” Vital Vegas, a popular online media site, reported on Friday. “A reliable source believes Venetian has plans to close, yet again, following the July 4 weekend.”
The Venetian shuttering, if it takes place, would be for a week to 10 days, the report added. But at mid-day Saturday The Venetian issued a tweet which said, “This social media rumor concerning a planned closure of the resort is false.”
We’ve also heard frontline staffers at Caesars Palace have relayed to guests the resort will temporarily close following the long weekend,” Vital Vegas further reported. “These rumors are unconfirmed, but it’s unlikely any casino would telegraph such moves heading into what’s expected to be a busy July 4 weekend.”
There is no immediate word whether Caesars Palace denies that rumor.
Despite the rumors, this week several Las Vegas Strip casinos and hotels reopened following lengthy closures because of the pandemic. KLAS, a local TV station, reported these include the Mandalay Bay, the Delano, Aria, the Waldorf Astoria, and the Four Seasons. Other Las Vegas casinos resumed limited operations last month.
Stripped Down
As of Friday, July 3, more tourists were seen on the Strip than in prior days, but still, far fewer pedestrians were present than before the pandemic. Many of them drove to the Strip from states that neighbor Nevada, the Las Vegas Review-Journal reported.
For instance, Los Angeles residents Nicole and Paul Viazcan came prepared with wipes, hand sanitizer, and Lysol, the Review-Journal said. They last visited Las Vegas in January and noted the many pedestrians on Friday not wearing masks.
While at the Bellagio fountains, Jaylen Torres and her fiance, Abisai Garcia, said they drove to Las Vegas for the day from Salt Lake City. They planned to visit the Linq Hotel’s High Roller.
“It seems slow,” Garcia told the Review-Journal about the vibe and crowd size. “Businesses aren’t open as early,” he added.
Nate Johnson, an Illinois resident who frequently visits Nevada with his wife, told the Review-Journal Las Vegas is “not nearly as much fun” during the pandemic than it was before the COVID-19 outbreak. They are staying at the Bellagio, but in the future will not return to the city until Gov. Steve Sisolak’s (D) June 26 face-mask-in-public rule has expired.
(There are) a lot more rules, and usually people come to Vegas because there are no rules,” Johnson told the Review-Journal. “It’s definitely not the same Vegas.”
Crowds at the Bellagio and its gaming floor were “small but steady” Friday morning, the Review-Journal additionally reported. Guests were basically wearing masks, but coverings on some players at table games failed to cover their noses, the Review-Journal said. One female slot machine player lowered her mask under her chin while she smoked a cigarette, the report adds. At the Flamingo, most players wore masks, but many facial coverings were lowered below their noses or were pushed down as they smoked.
Some pedestrians and others on Las Vegas Boulevard at mid-day Friday chose not to wear masks, perhaps because of hot summer temperatures, the Review-Journal also reported.
Sisolak: ‘Must Comply with Face Mask Rule’
Before the July 4 weekend, only 49 percent of businesses, such as bars, restaurants, and other enterprises, were complying with Sisolak’s stricter facial covering rule, according to the Nevada Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), based on its over 200 inspections undertaken on Thursday, reported KSNV, a local TV station.
Since the mask rule went into effect, the business compliance rate was 85 percent in northern Nevada and 65 percent in southern Nevada, OSHA said.
The news led to a stern warning from the governor. “The noncompliance numbers reported by State officials are disappointing and unacceptable a week after the face coverings directive was issued,” Sisolak said.
If these concerning reports on noncompliance continue, I will not hesitate to take swift and decisive actions next week directed at targeted industries or areas that are experiencing concerning COVID-19 trends and non-compliance,” the governor added.
Businesses that fail to comply could face a maximum fine of $134,940. The governor’s admonition comes as Las Vegas casinos and hotels are facing increasing cases of coronavirus among their workers and the general public.
On Friday, there were 576 new cases of COVID-19 in Nevada’s Clark County. It marks the fifth time in the last six days the Southern Nevada Health District reported at least 500 new coronavirus cases in a daily report. Several Las Vegas casino employees tested positive for COVID-19 in recent weeks, the Review-Journal said.
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Last Comments ( 24 )
In the absence of effective vaccines and curing medication the only way to protect everyone and especially the vulnerable is through strict disciplinary measures like keeping well apart and wearing masks. There is clear evidence of increased infections where beaches and protests have lead to crowding.. There is nothing macho about demonstrating boldness in the face of Covid_19.so don't be stupid and don't endanger the rest of us! Finally, before you pull Governor Sisolak and his Administration to bits...just note what is happening among our Arizona neighbors now who didn't lock down in good time. .
They aren't closing its fake news
Good JL Have a room for four nights in August at Flamingo. Driving from Denver Right now feeling goosey and if I had to decide tomorrow, I would cancel. I support every casino that boots out those who won't comply.
No masks smoking allowed how stupid can you be. Shut em down. Unsafe opened way too early
Masks aren’t PPE and are not a respirators, that’s right from the Cal OSHA policy. Second, N95 and higher respiratory protection require fit testing, that’s also comes from the Cal OSHA policy. So these Governors can get pissed all they want, but the simple Mask policy has no standing in court. Sisokak assigned Nevada OSHA the Mask enforcement? Under what federal Reg. Are they enforcing masks? OSHA 1910. 134 the respirator standard? How many times was Sisokak out having diner without following his rules? If the death rate is way down and infection rate is up, that’s a good thing. It’s called herd immunity. You can’t just shut the world down to a cultured/engineered bio weapon in high traffic areas like LasVegas. You’re open to economic blackmail at all times here.
The Mayor is a idiot. She should go ask Trump for a job. Hopefully, he won't have one for long either.
Saw people wearing face coverings that do nothing. They were coughing and it just comes out over the covering and through it. If your wearing a covering make sure it stops the virus 100 percent not 2p percent. Like using a condom with holes in it. Sheep
Do not believe the lies of this new world order agenda
People have choices and forcing businesses to enforce masks and threatening them with fines during this economic disaster is criminal, this Governor is just upset because it's an ego thing and they are not listening to his stupidity. He can't get money out to the people but he wants to fine them, amazing how during the protests this was a non issue but for law abiding people and small businesses the punishment will be swift, please gimme a break. This clown needs to have protestors show up at his house, even he was shown not wearing a mask in public and most people aren't even wearing them correctly not to mention wearing masks all day puts stress on the lungs and can have negative effects. If you are high risk by all means wear a mask, don't go out and live how you want but it should be a choice like jumping out of an airplane or rock climbing, we can't continue like this always living under threats from politicians we pay for, he's not the all mighty zar he's an elected official not our father and he works for the people and the people are tired of this abuse!!
Las Vegas is done because of short sighted people like Sisolak. Democrats will destroy our wonderful town.
Tell Sisolacky to go back to California. Fascist.
lv is just not the place to go in a pandemic
I have been riding my bicycle on the STRIP wearing a mask, and found most people were wearing a mask Tuesday June 30th. Mask visitors were carrying the famous yard long margarita. Sad to see the photos with people not wearing mask to protect themselves, or others in the photos posted. If I can wear a mask while riding a bicycle, can't begin to understand why Vegas visitors could not enjoy themselves wearing a mask in public or gaming in a Casino.
I am not saying mask work and don't work. My issue is how can you fine a business or close them down for something that is not the law. The governor did not have anything passed and signed into law
Been coming to Las Vegas since the 1070s. Yes I have my favorite casinos....very loyal to them. My new favorite casinos>>>>> The ones I will hopefully read about in the future that start escorting customers off the property for not wearing masks or no wearing them properly. Be tough on those jokers, they don't care, why should you. The whole country is Watching! How totally ignorant and unappreciative of all the business and workers trying to create the safest Las Vegas possible, under very difficult conditions. I haven't been back this year yet, but hopefully the brain dead masses won't ruin it for the rest of us!!!!!!!!!