MGM Resorts, Caesars to reopen Las Vegas Strip casinos June 4

For travel and gaming fans, the wait is over: The Las Vegas Strip is reopening.

At least part of it.

MGM Resorts International announced Wednesday the reopening of some of its Las Vegas properties beginning June 4.

The Bellagio, New York New York, MGM Grand Las Vegas and The Signature hotel/casinos will open their doors following the March shut-down of all MGM Resort casinos world-wide due to the coronavirus pandemic. The number of rooms available and guests on property will be limited.

The reopening will follow as strict seven-point safety plan, according to the official announcement.

Under the new plan, employees will be required to wear masks; guest are strongly encouraged to do likewise. Physical distancing policies will be in place including floor guides and plexiglass barriers. Where social distancing is not possible (such as salons, some table games, elevators), guests will be required to wear masks and will be provided free of charge to guests.

AP

Other highlights of the safety plan include employee screening and temperature checks; stand-alone handwashing stations have been installed on the casino floors. Check-in will be “contact-free,” meaning guests will need to utilize smart phone or other devices to check-in. Guest room staff will wear masks and gloves, and electrostatic disinfectant sprayers will be used in large public areas.

In addition, the company has also created an internal response team for any employee or guest who tests positive for COVID-19 after visiting one of its properties.

Caesars Entertainment Corp., which operates Caesars Palace and the Flamingo resort/casino among other Strip resorts, has also confirmed that both the aforementioned properties will reopen June 4.

Both MGM and Caesars’ websites note the reopenings are in line with directives from Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak, the Nevada Gaming Control Board and public health authorities.

The Cosmopolitan confirmed it also will reopen June 4. Its website notes the resort will operate under CDC and OSHA-approved cleaning and disinfecting protocols to clean guest rooms, high-touch items and public spaces. Hand sanitizing stations have been installed throughout the resort and guest rooms will feature PPE items.

Wynn Resorts announced its two Strip properties, the Wynn and the Encore will also reopen June 4, with a “select number” of rooms available, according to its website.

Boyd Gaming announced the June 4 opening of The Orleans, Gold Coast, Suncoast, Aliante, Cannery, Sam’s Town, Fremont, California and Joker’s Wild casinos.

In related news: Derek Stevens, Las Vegas developer and CEO of D Las Vegas and the Golden Gate Hotel and Casino, announced the properites will reopen June 4. To get you there, he’s giving away 1,700 free one-way flights to Las Vegas (including departures from O’Hare Airport) on several major carriers. One-thousand of the flights were gobbled up almost immediately. To get in on the giveaway, you’ll need to register at at www.thed.com/keep-america-flying. Its first-come, first-served and you don’t need to stay at one of his properties.

“Whether people decide to visit my casinos or explore other parts of the city, this is a strong indicator of how Las Vegas can quickly be restored to its former glory,” Stevens said via statement.