As the number of confirmed Covid-19 cases and deaths continues to grow rapidly in the US and the rest of the world, two of the biggest Las Vegas Strip resort operators have decided to grind to a halt in the face of the worst, most acute health crisis seen in modern times.
Wynn Resorts announced Sunday that it would temporarily shut its Wynn Las Vegas and Encore properties on the Strip “as part of its continuing effort to reduce the spread of Covid-19.”
Rival casino resort operator MGM Resorts International issued a statement later on Sunday to inform employees and guests that it would, too, shutter its properties on the Strip in response to the coronavirus spread.
Wynn to Pay Full-Time Employees during the Closure
Wynn Resorts said in its Sunday statement that the closure of its two Vegas properties will be effective from 6 pm on Tuesday, March 17. The two casino resorts will remain closed for at least two weeks.
The gambling operator said that after the initial two-week closure, it will evaluate the situation to determine whether it should reopen Wynn Las Vegas and Encore.
The company said that it would continue to pay full-time employees at the two resorts during the closure. A limited number of employees and management will remain at the properties to secure and maintain the facilities.
News about Wynn Resorts shutting down its Vegas casino complexes emerged shortly after the operator was ordered to temporarily suspend operations at its other US resort – Encore Boston Harbor in Greater Boston, Massachusetts.
The Massachusetts Gaming Commission voted unanimously on Saturday to close the state’s three casinos – Plainridge Park Casino, MGM Springfield, and Encore. The three properties were ordered to begin shutting their operations a few hours after midnight on Sunday.
MGM Follows Suit in Vegas
Shortly after news about the closure of the two Wynn properties on the Strip hit the wire, MGM Resorts International announced that it would close temporarily the operations at its properties in Las Vegas until further notice.
The shutdown is set to become effective as of Tuesday, March 17. Operations at the properties’ casino floors will close today, March 16, followed by the suspension of hotel operations.
Here is a full list of MGM’s properties in Las Vegas:
- Aria
- Bellagio
- Delano
- Excalibur
- Luxor
- MGM Grand
- Mandalay Bay
- Mirage
- New York-New York-New York
- NoMad
- Park MGM
- Signature at MGM Grand
- Vdara
MGM said that the properties would reopen “as soon as it is safe to do so” but did not provide a timeframe.
MGM CEO and Chairman Jim Murren said:
Despite our commitment to dedicating additional resources for cleaning and promoting good health, while making difficult decisions to close certain aspects of our operations, it is now apparent that this is a public health crisis that requires major collective action if we are to slow its progression.
Accordingly, we will close all of our Las Vegas properties as of Tuesday, March 17th, for the good of our employees, guests and communities. This is a time of uncertainty across our country and the globe and we must all do our part to curtail the spread of this virus.
Mr. Murren further pointed out that they will “continue to support our employees, guests, and communities in every way that we can during this period of closure”, but did not specify whether resort employees would be paid.
The company said that it will not be taking reservations for arrivals prior May 1.
MGM has also announced over the weekend the temporary closure of its MGM Northfield Park property in Ohio, Empire City Casino in New York, MGM Springfield in Massachusetts, MGM National Harbor in Maryland, and MGM Grand Detroit in Michigan.
Las Vegas Sands Properties to Remain Open
Las Vegas Sands, which operates the Venetian and the Palazzo on the Las Vegas Strip, said Sunday that its properties will remain open and that the company will continue to take “the recommended precautions necessary to keep our team members and guests safe.”
In a statement, company spokesperson Ron Reese said on Sunday that Las Vegas Sands “is not considering layoffs or any changes to any of our existing health care benefit plans.”
The coronavirus situation has been extremely dynamic in the last few weeks and can change at any time. Casino News Daily will be posting regular updates on the impact of the deadly virus on the global casino industry.
For more information about Covid-19 click on the links below:
World Health Organization
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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