Culinary Union Wants Safety Measures Before Resorts Reopen; Wynn CEO Says Memorial Day Could Be Opening Day

The Culinary Workers Union Local 226 with 60,000 members estimates that nearly all of its members are out of work, but that doesn’t mean it wants resorts to reopen right away, News 3 LV talked to Geoconda Arguello-Kline, the secretary-treasurer for the culinary workers union, who says that the safety of members is the highest concern.

“If you open too soon, everybody gets affected, we’re back to ground zero again,” she tells the news station.

So far, 12 members of the union have died due to complications of COVID-19.

The union expects to hear more about safety protocols that resorts will put in place. So far, Wynn and the Venetian and Palazzo have revealed safety plans once they can reopen.

Wynn Resorts CEO Matt Maddox met with President Donald Trump on Wednesday and hoped that if his three recommended benchmarks — a reduction in the number of COVID-19 cases, the capacity of hospital ICU units, and increased testing for COVID-19 — are met, resorts on the Strip could open for Memorial Day weekend, the Las Vegas Review-Journal reports.

Any reopening plan of gaming operations will ultimately go through the Gaming Control Board, Gov. Steve Sisolak’s office says.

Sisolak plans to extend his stay-at-home directive later on Thursday through May 15 with some relaxed restrictions on curbside pickup for retail stores, some medical procedures allowed at hospitals, and opening outdoor venues such as golf courses and parks. On Wednesday, he said resorts would probably reopen in phase three or four of his plan.

• Wynn CEO Predicts the Las Vegas Strip Could Reopen in Mid- to Late May [ELV]

• The Venetian and Palazzo Reveal an 800-Step Plan for Reopening With COVID-19 Protocols [ELV]

• Gov. Steve Sisolak Plans to Extend Nevada’s Stay-at-Home Directive Into May [ELV]

• How Coronavirus Is Affecting Las Vegas Food and Restaurants [ELV]