[Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Jae-hee] The world-famous tourist destination Las Vegas in the United States is reopening its casinos without minimum social distancing restrictions between individuals. This comes as COVID-19 vaccinations expand across the U.S.
According to the Associated Press on the 12th (local time), casino giant MGM Resorts International announced that it received regulatory approval from Nevada authorities to open casinos without minimum social distancing restrictions. Casinos can operate at 100% capacity.
MGM Resorts stated, "The Nevada Gaming Commission, the casino regulatory agency, has lifted restrictions on nine lodging properties based on the vaccination rates of employees."
This decision follows confirmation that at least 80% of employees working in Las Vegas casinos have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.
The resorts approved for regulatory relief include Bellagio, Aria, MGM Grand, Mandalay Bay, Mirage, New York-New York, Luxor, Excalibur, and Park MGM. Casinos allowed to operate at 100% capacity include MGM properties as well as Wynn Las Vegas, Encore, Cosmopolitan, and The STRAT.
However, restaurants and swimming pools must maintain a 0.9-meter distance and operate at 80% capacity. Wearing masks remains mandatory.
Las Vegas casinos were closed in March last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic and conditionally reopened on June 4, about three months later. This was a desperate measure to revive the Las Vegas economy, which was hit hard by the pandemic, especially in gambling and exhibition industries. But with increasing vaccination rates in the U.S., a "full reopening" allowing 100% capacity without minimum social distancing has now been implemented.
Previously, Clark County, which oversees casinos in the Las Vegas area, approved a plan to allow 100% reopening once 60% of local residents were vaccinated. As of the 12th (local time), the vaccination rate stands at 47%.
U.S. President Joe Biden has set a goal to have 70% of American adults receive at least one vaccine dose by Independence Day, July 4. Currently, over half of American adults have received at least one dose, with the overall vaccination rate at 45.2%.
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