Tightening Restrictive Measures For All Bars In Las Vegas

Article by : Helen Jul 21, 2020

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Updated: Apr 6, 2023

Since July 10, 2020, Nevada Governor Steve Sisolak issued an order to close all bars. This also affected the establishments that operate on the premises of the Las Vegas casinos. At the same time, restrictive measures also affected 7 districts, where the number of cases of coronavirus detection increased every day for two weeks.

According to the order issued on July 10, the Governor announced that measures would affect all districts, demonstrating a systematic increase in the incidence rate and not meeting the three essential criteria for weakening quarantine. For the area to gradually lift the restriction, it is necessary to meet two crucial parameters, namely:

• Conduct more than 150 tests per 100,000 inhabitants daily.
• Reduce the incidence rate of fewer than 100 people per 100,000 citizens.

According to the Governor, the bulk of people are increasingly becoming infected with the coronavirus during extended stays close to each other in confined spaces. This primarily concerns bars and entertainment venues, the number of which is only increasing every year. That is why closure may become one of the most important steps to reduce the problematic epidemiological situation. However, it is possible that at the end of the month, these measures may be revised downward.

Institutions that, in addition to selling alcohol, also serve food, can remain open. However, the number of visitors should not exceed 50%. After the two-week limitation, each of the districts must demonstrate a positive dynamics of change by two mentioned criteria. Only then can the state authorities give permission for them to open their doors. The first date for the analysis of the situation was set for July 24.

Nevada will face significant financial losses with the closure of enterprises and the expected drop in tourist flow. Gambling revenues are second only to sales tax revenues in this state. The leisure and hospitality industry employs one in four employees in the country.

As the economy lowers down, the state officials have not yet revealed how many people have applied for unemployment benefits in the past few days.

The state is in relatively good shape to pay unemployment benefits, but this cannot last forever. The state government is working on getting extra help from the federal government.

Let’s keep in mind that the primary industries of the Las Vegas economy are travel and gambling. They also caused the growth of the relevant service sectors of the economy. What’s more, Las Vegas is home to two of the world’s most considerable Fortune 500 companies, MGM Mirage, and Harrah’s Entertainment. It also has several companies involved in the production of slot machines.

At the end of June, the Gov. also mentioned that the entry into all state casinos will only be allowed in protective masks and only after temperature screening. Moreover, visitors will be limited in the number of players at the tables. On the other hand, casinos should strictly control the distance between players and will be required to disinfect even gaming items – cards and chips. Such stringent requirements outraged the upper classes, who used to spend thousands of dollars and get a top-class service.

There is widespread disapproval on the Internet of the state government’s overly harsh response to the relatively small outbreak. At the same time, tourists flatly refuse to visit Las Vegas, as they consider it unacceptable to spend time in a casino, where instead of champagne, excitement, and communication, they face nothing but the strict rules that should be followed by everyone.