How Nightclub Workers in Las Vegas Are Being Paid, or Not, Amid the Coronavirus Pandemic

Nightclubs and day clubs on the Las Vegas Strip were some of the first outlets to close nearly two weeks ago in order to prevent the spread of novel coronavirus. Now the Las Vegas Sun takes a look at the impact those closures have on the employees who work there.

The newspaper reports that Hakkasan Group laid off 1,600 workers, but intends to pay employees their salaries and health benefits through the end of March. Hakkasan-led nightclubs and restaurants include its flagship Hakkasan Restaurant and Nightclub at the MGM Grand, as well as Wet Republic Ultra Pool and Level Up, the gaming lounge; Omnia Nightclub and Searsucker at Caesars Palace; and Jewel Nightclub and Liquid Pool Lounge at Aria. Wet Republic just went through a major renovation to open pool season. All closed on March 12.

Tao Group temporarily laid off its staff at Tao Asian Bistro and Tao Nightclub at the Venetian, Lavo at the Palazzo, and Marquee Nightclub & Dayclub and Beauty & Essex at the Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas. All of those nightclubs closed on March 13 and restaurants closed on March 16. Tao Beach never planned to open in 2020 as it went through a yearlong renovation.

“We could never have imagined this, a completely unexpected and fast-moving blow that would devastate our entire industry,” Tao Group says in a statement. “Tao Group is a family, and we are establishing a Tao Group Hospitality Relief Fund that will assist our employees who might face a range of personal hardships in the coming weeks and months. We want them to be safe and remain connected to us and one another. We are determined to do everything we can to ensure we have a thriving business for all of our employees to come back to as soon as possible.”

The entire staff at Drai’s Nightclub, Beachclub and After Hours at The Cromwell went on furlough. “We have made the difficult decision to furlough our employees during this time of uncertainty. Those with health benefits through the company will have their insurance premiums covered by Drai’s for the foreseeable future. Our hope is that this shutdown will end soon and our hardworking team will be able to return back to work as quickly as possible.” All closed on March 13.

XS Nightclub, and Encore Beach Club, which closed on March 12 at Wynn Las Vegas, are paying full-time staff through April 16, the day Gov. Steve Sisolak so far has said the closure of nonessential businesses in Nevada ends.

On The Record, the nightclub at the Park MGM, plans to pay furloughed employees for two weeks and paying benefits including health plans through June 30.

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