MGM got its employees vaccinated
With millions of COVID-19 vaccines getting administered every day in the United States, the pandemic statistics are moving in the right direction. Because of this, casinos have gradually been upping their customer capacities. Things are really starting to accelerate in Nevada, as MGM received permission from the Nevada Gaming Control Board to take all of its Las Vegas Strip casino gaming floors to 100% capacity.
And that’s a lot of casinos, so it should be a boon to Las Vegas’ gambling economy. MGM operates Aria, Bellagio, Excalibur, Mandalay Bay, Mirage, MGM Grand, New York-New York, and Park MGM.
One thing to keep in mind is that the 100% capacity applies only to MGM’s gaming floors. Other areas of the property like restaurants and swimming pools must hold steady at 80% capacity and maintain three feet of social distance. MGM will continue to require people to wear masks at its Las Vegas properties.
“This is yet another major milestone in Las Vegas’ incredible recovery and a testament to the importance of vaccination in the effort to fully reopen our community,” said MGM Resorts president and CEO Bill Hornbuckle on Wednesday. “We will continue working to vaccinate as many people as possible and remain vigilant with health and safety protocols designed to protect our employees, guests and community. This vital work must continue for us to defeat this virus, and MGM Resorts is committed to doing our part to get it done.”
MGM Resorts was a vaccine vanguard in Las Vegas, opening a clinic in the Mandalay Bay Convention Center to vaccinate employees, their families, entertainers, and other partners. All vaccines were administered free of charge.
Wynn Resorts’ two properties – Wynn Las Vegas and Encore Resort were the first two Las Vegas Strip casinos to get the thumbs up for full capacity on May 3. The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas was next a few days later.
Philly getting close
Philadelphia’s two casinos within city limits – Rivers Casino Philadelphia and the Live! Casino & Hotel Philadelphia – will be able to increase their capacities to 75% on May 21 if they can follow strict ventilation regulations. In his announcement about the easing of COVID-19 restrictions on Tuesday, Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney said that social distancing measures and mask wearing will still be required.
In addition, provided things continue trending the way they are, casinos will be able to go to full capacity on June 11.
Philadelphia has maintained stricter COVID-19 mitigation standards than the rest of the state, though this is not unusual when it comes to large cities. Last week, Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf announced that business statewide can jump to 100% capacity on May 31. They are currently required to stay at no more than 75% capacity, a level in place since April 4.
