Vegas opened up last week, and as you might expect it’s not the same Vegas we saw pre-COVID-19. In fact, its tagline is no longer, “What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas.” Since January, it’s been, “What happens here, only happens here.”
I’m not brave (or foolish) enough to check out the new changes, but I’ve been keeping an eye on how things are being handled. And I did watch my buddy Lee Abbamonte’s Instagram story from “opening” night. Hardly any visitors were wearing masks and they didn’t seem too concerned about social distancing. The workers, though, were a different story.
More specifically, here’s what they’re doing at MGM hotels, which include the Bellagio, MGM Grand, ARIA, and Park MGM. You can bet that most hotels in Las Vegas are setting and following similar guidelines. Direct from an official email I got:
Key initiatives include:
- Employee screening, temperature checks and COVID-19 specific training
- COVID-19 testing offered for employees as they return to work in partnership with the local medical community
- Employees will be required to wear masks; Guests are strongly encouraged to wear masks, and in some settings where physical distancing is more difficult and/or barriers do not exist, will be required to do so. Examples of where masks will be required include salons, table games where physical barriers are not in place and elevators, if riding with guests outside of their travel group. Masks will be provided, free of charge
- A physical distancing policy will be implemented, with floor guides serving as reminders
- For areas where physical distancing presents challenges, plexiglass barriers will be installed, or other measures will be used to reduce risks
- Standalone handwashing stations designed by MGM Resorts conveniently located on casino floors
- Contactless Check-In through the MGM Resorts App allows hotel guests to go through the check-in process on their personal devices, minimizing interactions
- Guestroom Attendants wear masks and gloves while cleaning each room and will change gloves between guestrooms
- In addition to increased and enhanced routine cleaning of guestrooms and public spaces based on CDC guidance, electrostatic sprayers are utilized in many large public spaces so that disinfectant is applied efficiently
- Digital menus are available to view on personal mobile devices via QR codes in the company’s food and beverage outlets
- To minimize groups congregating while they wait, restaurant guests will receive text message notification when their tables are ready
MGM, its wrote in the email, has compiled its own internal team and processes to respond if a guest or employee tests positive for COVID-19, and if a guest tests positive after visiting one of its properties, they are to alert MGM through a special email address (covid19@mgmresorts.com). A hotel rep will immediately report any positive test results to the local health department and assist with contact tracing to support the health department investigators. More details:
- MGM’s full “Seven-Point Safety Plan” is available here
- The Las Vegas Review-Journal on the situation last Saturday
- USA TODAY on Las Vegas after re-opening here
What do you think of the changes in Las Vegas?
Do the changes above make you feel safe enough to go to Las Vegas? I wonder if Vegas changed its slogan recently because if you get COVID-19 in Vegas they know it’s not going to stay there? We’ll see.
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