• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Blog Home
  • Topics
    • Keystone Press Releases
    • Politics and Government
    • Legislation
    • Nevada News
    • Tourism & Gaming
    • Rural Nevada
    • Business
    • Opinion
  • Membership
  • Contact Us
  • About Keystone Nevada

Keystone Nevada Korner

Welcome to The Keystone Korner The Official Blog of Keystone Nevada

Home » Las Vegas in ‘very tricky place’ after COVID warnings

Las Vegas in ‘very tricky place’ after COVID warnings

July 18, 2021 by Pauline Lee

By Richard N. Velotta and Colton Lochhead Las Vegas Review-Journal July 16, 2021 – 5:04 pm

Tourism industry analysts say it’s going to be hard to put the genie back into the bottle when it comes to revamping health and safety regulations addressing COVID-19.

But at least one resort is requiring employees to wear masks indoors, regardless of whether they’ve been vaccinated.

When the Los Angeles County Health District recommended county residents avoid traveling to destinations with rising infections and stagnant vaccination rates as in Nevada, it put local resorts in a health-and-safety no man’s land.

“No industry has put more into the health and safety of its guests and staff than the gaming and hospitality industry,” said Brendan Bussmann, director of government affairs for Las Vegas-based Global Market Advisors.

“Since the federal mask mandate was lifted back in May, it has been about the honor system and I think that needs to continue forward,” he said. “Vaccines and continued precautions are the keys to getting this under control and continuing the economic recovery.”

“We are in a very tricky place,” added Amanda Belarmino, an assistant professor at the William F. Harrah College of Hospitality at UNLV.

“On the one hand, our properties are following Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines by not requiring masks, so they are following the science. Additionally, the data we have seen on the delta variant has indicated that those who are fully vaccinated will not develop COVID-19,” she said. “However, with the increase in the number of cases, it does make sense for there to be some return to masks.”

Belarmino acknowledged it would be hard for tourists and residents to go back to previous guidelines on facial coverings.

“I would recommend a middle-of-the-road approach where employees return to wearing masks, masks are available for customers, in the guest rooms and at the entrance, and consider a return to more visible cleaning standards,” she said. “I would love to see commercials with vaccinated casino employees encouraging others in the community to be vaccinated and to reach out to their doctors with any concerns so we can help prevent a new surge in cases.”

Venetian employees to wear masks indoors

Keith Salwoski, a spokesman for The Venetian, said that in response to the revised Southern Nevada Health District recommendations the company will now require that all employees, vaccinated or not, wear company-issued face masks while working in indoor spaces and in indoor areas where people congregate.

“In addition, we have revised our signs posted at public entrances to share this new SNHD recommendation,” he said. “Complimentary face masks are available to our guests at front desks, Grazie desks and concierge desks.”

MGM Resorts International hasn’t made any changes to its current mask policy, which is that employees and guests who are fully vaccinated are not required to wear masks.

“Masks continue to be available at all MGM properties, and we remain vigilant with our health and safety protocols. We are closely monitoring the situation and are continually evaluating policies based on the latest information and circumstances,” company spokesman Brian Ahern said.

Josh Swissman, founding partner of the Las Vegas-based Strategy Organization, said that because the health district is only making recommendations at this point, and not mandates, customers might see some variation on mask policies from company to company.

“Where we sit right now with the information we know, that’s the best approach, for each operator to evaluate their own situations,” Swissman said.

“It really comes down to what makes the customers feel comfortable,” he added.

‘Vaccination remains our best defense’

But Swissman echoed other analysts in banging the drum for those who have not gotten the vaccine to do so to help stave off any mask mandate or capacity restrictions amid worsening COVID infection rates.

“I think the bigger concern out there is that we’re having to revert back to these recommendations in the first place. The most important message that should be shouted from the rooftops is that everyone who hasn’t gotten vaccinated yet should do that,” Swissman said.

Nevada Resort Association President Virginia Valentine said the new guidance from the health district “is an important reminder that masks are effective in reducing spread.”

“Vaccination remains our best defense, and Nevada businesses including the resorts are working very hard to get their employees vaccinated. The resort industry will continue to comply with CDC guidance and all the state and local health and safety regulations,” she added.

Bussmann said that while there are no mask mandates so far, resorts would be compelled to follow any that are announced because they would likely be enforced by the Nevada Gaming Control Board and companies won’t want to face disciplinary action.

“While we will have to see if any government mandates come into play as the number of cases has risen, there needs to be a healthy balance between keeping the economy moving and not turning back,” Bussmann said. That includes permitting the industry to continue focusing on the health and safety of guests and workers and “make their own determinations within their own enterprises. “

“We are still early on in the recovery and a potential setback with rising cases would limit our current trajectory,” he said. “The meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions business is just starting to bounce back and we still need to bring back the international segment. At this point, it is about personal responsibility to keep this recovery pushing forward.”

Filed Under: Industries, Tourism & Gaming Tagged With: complimentary masks, COVID, delta variant, early recovery, government mandate, health and safety of guests, healthy balance, mask mandate, turning back

Primary Sidebar

Connect with Us

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter
Bootleg Bistro
Bootleg Bistro Ad
SLLC_Keystone_Blog-Ad_300x500_10%-Off-Repairs_05.19.21
CIOServices Ad 300x500-100
BRH Keystone Ad JPEG
Willow_Manor
Keystone Corporation Nevada

News Topics

  • Keystone Press Releases
  • Politics and Government
  • Legislation
  • Nevada News
  • Tourism & Gaming
  • Rural Nevada
  • Business
  • Opinion

Rural Nevada

Weather may have slowed January sales

April 8, 2023 By Courtney Holland

By The Record Courier Staff, April 4, 2023 For the third month in a row, Douglas County merchants reported a decrease in taxable sales, though not … [Read More...] about Weather may have slowed January sales

30 new projects in Pahrump: Arby’s, Chipotle, Midas Muffler, 3 convenient stores & more

March 29, 2023 By Courtney Holland

By Robin Hebrock, Pahrump Valley Times, March 28, 2023 Business is booming in the Pahrump Valley, with dozens of new companies looking to bring … [Read More...] about 30 new projects in Pahrump: Arby’s, Chipotle, Midas Muffler, 3 convenient stores & more

UPS and AVK America plan to expand in Douglas County

March 19, 2023 By Courtney Holland

Staff Reports for The Record Courier, March 17, 2023 United Parcel Service plans to build a new 168,000 square foot building in Douglas County, … [Read More...] about UPS and AVK America plan to expand in Douglas County

Redwood Materials gets $2 billion federal loan for mega battery facility near Reno

February 12, 2023 By Pauline Lee

by Jason Hidalgo, Reno Gazette-Journal, February 9, 2023 Redwood Materials just secured a commitment from the federal government for a $2 billion … [Read More...] about Redwood Materials gets $2 billion federal loan for mega battery facility near Reno

Opinion

OPINION: The Lost Art of Negotiation In Carson City

May 30, 2023 By Courtney Holland

NV Dems to Governor Lombardo: ‘Your priorities aren’t our priorities, but here are ours, sign them’ By Megan Barth, The Nevada Globe, May 26, … [Read More...] about OPINION: The Lost Art of Negotiation In Carson City

OPINION: Don’t force taxpayers to gamble with the IRS

May 30, 2023 By Courtney Holland

By Rich Robledo, Las Vegas Sun, May 21, 2023 Every year, millions of Americans visit Las Vegas to see the sights, take in a show, and even gamble … [Read More...] about OPINION: Don’t force taxpayers to gamble with the IRS

OPINION: Bipartisanship is critical in economic development

May 30, 2023 By Courtney Holland

By Tina Quigley, The Nevada Independent, May 28th, 2023 Several months ago, a friend sent me a copy of a 50-year-old local news … [Read More...] about OPINION: Bipartisanship is critical in economic development

Tags

Adam Laxalt am post Build Back Better Business Business Columns Casinos & Gaming Catherine Cortez Masto Clark County Clark County School District COVID Department of Employment Training and Rehabilitation (DETR) Editorials Education Elon Musk employment Gov. Joe Lombardo Gov. Steve Sisolak Housing inflation Inside Gaming Joe Lombardo las vegas Local Local Las Vegas Local Nevada mc-business mc-local mc-news mc-opinion mc-sports Nevada News NPRI Opinion Opinion Columns PAID Politics and Government Real Estate Insider Roe v. Wade school choice Sports Tesla The Strip tourism Victor Joecks

Footer

Copyright © 2023 · Keystone Corporation - All Rights Reserved · Log in
Privacy Policy
By accessing this site, you are agreeing to our Terms of Use

The views, opinions and conclusions expressed by the authors of any article or post on the Keystone Korner are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Keystone Corporation or its officers and board members. Moreover, any reference to a person, party, product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by Keystone Corporation or its officers and board members.