Las Vegas Casino Leaders Unite to Discuss Reopening Safety Measures
Posted on: April 17, 2020, 09:57h.
Last updated on: April 17, 2020, 12:40h.
Las Vegas casino executives and union leaders are banding together to decide which safety measures should be implemented when the properties are permitted to reopen.
Executives from rival casinos are working collaboratively on a series of safeguards that could potentially expedite their ability to resume operations. When the resorts are given permission to reopen, guests are expected to be given temperature checks at limited entrances.
All casino employees might be required to wear face masks and gloves at all times, including dealers, and at least one empty seat would sit between gamblers. Hotels are likely to open with only about one-third of their rooms available for occupancy.
As will be the case with all public businesses, increased sanitization of high-traffic areas will also be a must.
Every casino in Nevada has been dark since Gov. Steve Sisolak (D) ordered their closures on March 17. The shutdown runs through at least the end of the month. Sisolak said this week that he has no definitive timeline for when nonessential businesses such as casinos might be allowed to reopen.
Union Weighs In
More than 300,000 Nevadans have filed for unemployment benefits since the state shut down. The Culinary Union, which represents approximately 60,000 workers employed by casinos in Las Vegas and Reno, is demanding their laid off or furloughed workers be paid throughout the closure, and that their jobs will be available once Sisolak lifts his order.
MGM Resorts, Nevada’s largest employer, isn’t paying the 60,000 workers it’s laid off across the country. Nor is Caesars Entertainment, the Strip’s second-largest employer.
Las Vegas Sands, Wynn Resorts, and Station Casinos are continuing to issue checks to US employees as they sit at home.
They don’t see the workers. They only see the compensation for the top executives,” said Culinary Union Secretary-Treasurer Geoconda Arguello-Kline. “They only see the numbers. They don’t see what the people are going through.”
Arguello-Kline says when casinos do get back to business, the union is “asking the companies to have more cleaning everywhere – the rooms, casino, special teams to work with new chemicals.” She added that the resorts “have to have more people, so the people can have the area more clean.”
Mimic Macau
Following a 15-day closure, casinos in the world’s richest gambling hub resumed operations in late February. Less than half of Macau’s baccarat tables are operational, partially because of safety precautions, and partially because of sparse foot traffic.
Las Vegas casinos seem to be following Macau’s lead in anticipation of safely reopening. Macau is testing patrons for their temperatures before granting entry to the casino floor, and requiring a vacant seat between gamblers. People are also not allowed to stand behind or next to tables or slot machines.
Macau is limiting the overall number of people allowed to be inside each casino, and customers are required to wear masks. Eating and drinking at the gaming table is prohibited.
One major difference is that while Macau’s gaming industry is heavily dependent on baccarat, the revenue generator is slot machines in the US. Slots, of course, are high-touch devices.
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Last Comments ( 18 )
If people think that Sisolak is a dictator because he closed our economy because of the virus, just remember that if he truly was a dictator, he would have Nevada National Guard blocking all citizens from leaving home, instituting Marshall Law; which hasn’t happened at all. While I work for a casino & would like for it to re-open, I’m not willing to risk my life/health or the lives of my co-workers and guests just so I can go back to work. I’m in part of the High Risk category to get the virus, so getting the guidelines & retooling the practices in place is more important to me.
How are smokers and vipers going to comply with masks and hygiene requirements when casinos reopen? Their materials are not sanitized and they touch everything.
If it meant for you to have virus, it will happen, no matter what measure you take. As far as I know the U.S. is a free country we have choices. At least that is what constitution says
They need to reopen with a plan so many people work for those casinos and they all need a paycheck. I’m not scared mask and gloves and not being stupid will work. And the smoking thing is just stupid it dosnt make you get the virus. Maybe people with health problems need to stay home a little longer.
make a new game. hang Sisolak by his balls while being judged by lgbtq gameshow
I work for 2 hospitals and have suggestions in the re opening of the hotels and casinos. It is do able. I also work for a hotel and casino. We can make it happen.
Reopen with no vaping please...the aerosols.
Actually Bill Smith the data just released indicated smokers had a lower chance to get the virus! Try google!
You don't want my comment all you want is to open the casino so go right ahead and see how many people are going to die
Y would you open can u see the the people are in line for food how can you say open the casinos if people don't have money no jobs what these casinos want to do is take what little people have left if anything these Corporation should be donating billions of dollars to find a cure for the covid-19
let's go. Enough look
Governor, continue to be smart. Do not open casinos until proper testing, tracking and treatment can take place. Casinos and their profits are not as important as doing our part to stop the spread. Las Vegas will be the next hot spot and more people will die unnecessarily. Wait another 2 months and treatments will be closer.
Close for 1-2 hours for deep cleaning of casinos.
Who made Sisolak a Dictator? Americans have to make their own decisions. We’re not toddlers! Provide a reasonable atmosphere and we will CHOOSE to return.
Please stop letting people smoke in casinos. Covid 19 and cigarette smoking will kill many guests faster than a train wreck. All casinos must be none smoking to stop Covid 19 from spreading.