Governor Steve Sisolak conducted a press conference on Tuesday (13) in which he provided further details on the state’s roadmap out of pandemic restrictions. As part of this plan, Nevada’s required social distancing mandate will end on May 1.
Praising the success of statewide vaccination programs, the governor expressed confidence that all counties could open up to full capacity by June 1. “We will do whatever we can to help counties get there,” the governor said.
“To be clear, this does not mean that social distancing will no longer exist in the state. Every health official will agree that it’s still an important prevention tool. This just means that the state will no longer be setting the requirements. That authority will also now transition to the counties so they can make decisions based on what works best for their local jurisdictions,” Sisolak added.
Casinos in Nevada have remained at 50% capacity since March 15, when the state last increased limits. Commenting during the news conference, Sisolak said: “This is the first piece of good news that I’m able to deliver in a long time.”
Despite the ceding of control to local counties in May, the Nevada Gaming Control Board (NGCB) will still maintain autonomy over casinos and how they operate during the pandemic.
If casinos aim to meet the governor’s June deadline, then employee vaccinations are absolutely vital. The regulator made that clear in a memo to casino operators earlier this month, stating at the time that “consideration by the Board to increase gaming floor occupancy will only be taken in cases where licensees have taken measurable and material steps to vaccinate.”
Vaccination eligibility opened to all Nevadans aged 16 and older on April 5. Casinos have since taken it upon themselves to ensure the vaccination of staff.
A number of operators have opened employee vaccination facilities, including Wynn Resorts, Station Casinos and Las Vegas Sands Corp., Caesars Entertainment, and MGM Resorts, to name a few.
Source: GMB
