Non-compliance with COVID-19 protocols prompts closures
Most restricted gaming locations will cease to operate as bars and bar areas at venues in Nevada close from Friday 11:59pm for an indefinite duration. Governor Steve Sisolak said at a press conference on Thursday that the lack of compliance with coronavirus protocols prompted the bar closure order.
ruling directly impacts Nevada’s restricted gaming locations – venues operating 15 or fewer slot machines
With the governor pointing out that it’s “easier to wear a mask on a casino floor than it is while drinking in a bar”, the ruling directly impacts Nevada’s restricted gaming locations – venues operating 15 or fewer slot machines. This is because many of the 19,054 slot machines housed within almost 2,000 restricted gaming locations statewide are built into bar tops.
While all the counties affected by the new directive have yet to be listed, the ones already specified encompass the Las Vegas Valley and Reno localities. An official tweet from City Hall in downtown Las Vegas confirmed the order:
Growing concern over Nevada’s latest COVID-19 spike, the highest across all US states, forced the Gov. Sisolak to take urgent action.
Return to Phase One
The latest directive for Washoe and Clark counties to return to Phase One restrictions comes just one month after gaming and entertainment businesses began to reopen in Nevada.
continued increase in confirmed and suspected COVID-19 hospitalizations”
“We’re still watching a continued increase in confirmed and suspected COVID-19 hospitalizations,” Sisolak said, despite the state’s recent order to make wearing face masks mandatory.
In an official press release last week, Sisolak said only 50% of bars and restaurant bar areas visited by officials were following guidelines. Praising businesses who were complying, he criticised the deviants for “jeopardizing people’s health […] fellow businesses, your industry, and our overall economy.”
Not hitting the panic button yet
Nevada health officials were reportedly alarmed by compliance levels in hotel pools and on casino floors. Sisolak meanwhile said he would wait for additional information before deciding whether to implement new restrictions, with investigations into casinos still ongoing.
alarmed by compliance levels in hotel pools and casinos”
The governor publicly expressed the gravity of his directives, tweeting:
With up to 2,500 gaming licensees in Nevada, it is estimated that on average, each gambling property has been inspected three times since June 4. For the restricted gaming industry, which caters to a heavy base of local customers, the latest rule has dire consequences.