Some casinos on the Las Vegas Strip have been allowed to open at 100% capacity, officials said, after demonstrating to Nevada state regulators that at least 80% of their employees have received at least one shot of the coronavirus vaccine.
Representatives for Wynn Resorts Ltd. and Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas said they obtained approval from the Nevada Gaming Control Board over the weekend to lift occupancy and physical distancing requirements and remove clear plastic dividers from gaming tables.
"Employees and patrons will continue to follow health and safety guidelines, including mask compliance, to ensure a safe and comfortable environment," said a statement from Wynn Resorts.
The board, which regulates casinos, set an 80% vaccination goal, while county lawmakers, with jurisdiction over Las Vegas-area restaurants, stores and other businesses, approved plans to allow 100% occupancy once 60% of eligible county residents are vaccinated.
State health officials reported Tuesday that the county's first-dose public vaccination figure for the county is nearly 45.5%, with more than one in three people fully vaccinated.
At the Wynn Las Vegas and Encore resorts, company spokesman Michael Weaver said the first- or single-dose vaccination rate for employees reached 88%.
The Cosmopolitan said 80% of its more than 4,000 employees received at least a first dose of the vaccine.
The company offered workers $1 million worth of bonuses to get vaccinated, and reported a large increase in vaccinations in the past two weeks.
"We believe the only clear path to normalcy and the return of our entire workforce is through vaccinations," William McBeath, Cosmopolitan's president and CEO, said in a press release.
The capacity limits were enacted when the casinos reopened last June after being closed for nearly 12 weeks. Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak signed emergency directives aimed at preventing people from gathering and spreading COVID-19.
The restrictions have been relaxed in phases as vaccinations have intensified.
Last Saturday, all casinos and most businesses in the county, including the Las Vegas Strip tourist corridor, were able to increase their capacity from 50% to 80% and reduce the distance between people to 0.9 meters. Masks are still required indoors and for people in large crowds outdoors.
The governor, a Democrat, has set a June 1 target for lifting nearly all coronavirus mitigation restrictions statewide. He has said the mask mandates will remain in place indefinitely.
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