MGM Resorts Plans Menus on Phones When Casinos Can Reopen in Las Vegas

MGM Resorts gets ready for the eventual reopening of casinos in the state with a seven-point safety plan with safety protocols meant to add procedures for employees and visitors to follow that prevent the spread of COVID-19. The company already announced that the Bellagio, New York-New York, and one other resort will open first with the remaining properties phased in as tourism picks up in Las Vegas.

Restaurants that do open will feature employees wearing an approved mask, and the company encourages guests to wear masks in public areas, even offering them to visitors free of charge, although wearing a mask will not be mandatory for visitors. Food handlers will also wear gloves.

MGM Resorts asks visitors to minimize the amount of time masks are removed when drinking on the casino floor, and asks guests not to eat on the casino floor to minimize the amount of time masks are not covering visitors’ faces.

The resorts are busy adding six-foot social distancing between tables at restaurants and on the casino floors. Plexiglass barriers or eye protection for employees where close contact may still be required will also be in place.

Restaurants also plan to use QR codes with menus that diners can access on their phones. Virtual queues will be in place for customers when immediate seating is unavailable. Diners will receive a text message notification when their table is ready.

The Nevada Gaming Control Board oversees casinos in the state, and already issued its guidelines for them to reopen, approved by the Nevada Gaming Commissions. The board already ruled that nightclubs and pool parties cannot reopen. Pools however can.

Gov. Steve Sisolak closed all nonessential businesses including casinos on March 17, and on May 9, he allowed dine-in restaurants that are not in a casino to reopen for dine-in service with COViD-19 precautions in place. His new order remains in effect until May 30. If coronavirus cases continue to decline and hospital capacity to treat new cases continues to remain available, he may move into the next phase of reopening the state for business. In the past, he’s said that casinos may reopen in phase three or four of his plan. So far, there is no date released for casinos to reopen.

Wynn Las Vegas and the Venetian and Palazzo recently revealed their safety protocols to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

• Bellagio, New York-New York Could Be the First MGM Resorts to Open on the Strip [ELV]

• Nightclubs and Pool Parties Will Not Reopen When Casinos in Nevada Do [ELV]

• Nevada’s Governor Permits Restaurants to Reopen for Dine-in Service on May 9 [ELV]

• Las Vegas Restaurants Will Look Very Different When They Reopen for Dine-in Service [ELV]

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