Nevada Gov. to discuss next reopening phase today, targets June 4 date for casinos

Casinos across Nevada could reopen as soon as June 4, according to the governor's office, after being shut down for nearly 80 days. This could be part of Gov. Steve Sisolak’s announcements today when he discusses Phase 2 of reopening at a news conference.

Sisolak says pending the evaluation of trends in Nevada's COVID-19 data, along with the results of the Gaming Control Board meeting on Tuesday, the governor has set a target date of June 4 for reopening Nevada’s gaming industry. During Tuesday's meeting, the Gaming Control Board will consider any action necessary with regard to reopening, as reported by News 4 & Fox 11. It will also consider reopening plans submitted from casinos, which need to be approved at least seven days before reopening.

Casinos across the state of Nevada were ordered to shut their doors on March 17. Saturday marked two weeks since Phase 1 began. Since that time, the LEAP (Local Empowerment Advisory Panel) and governor's office have been monitoring the first phase of reopening, analyzing data trends and evaluating potential plans for Phase 2. If Nevada's COVID-19 data continues to reflect positive or consistent trends through the Memorial Day weekend, the governor will announce a Phase 2 reopening date at Tuesday's press conference, at 5:30 p.m. from the State Legislature in Carson City.

Tomorrow at 5:30 p.m., I will hold a press conference to update Nevadans on the next phase of Nevada’s reopening plan. Please tune in! pic.twitter.com/CwCHP313v4

— Governor Sisolak (@GovSisolak) May 25, 2020

Gov. Sisolak said in a statement Friday that Nevada has continued to see decreasing cases of the coronavirus and hospitalizations of COVID-19 when some restrictions began to be eased nearly two weeks ago.

Many properties have aimed for an early June restart in Las Vegas, closed almost overnight in the middle of a hot streak — three consecutive $1 billion months in statewide casino winnings. The city had been drawing more than 40 million annual visitors, as reported by the Associated Press.

Signs everywhere will remind guests of new rules: wash your hands; keep distance from others; limit your elevator ride to your sanitized room to just four people. "You're going to see a lot of social distancing," said Sean McBurney, general manager at Caesars Palace. "If there's crowding, it's every employee's responsibility to ensure there's social distancing."

Dice will be disinfected between shooters, chips cleaned periodically and card decks changed frequently. At some resorts, guests will be encouraged to use cellphones for touchless check-in, as room keys, and to read restaurant menus.

Wynn Resorts properties and The Venetian, owned by Las Vegas Sands, plan to use thermal imaging cameras at every entrance to intercept people with fevers. Smaller operators in Las Vegas and Reno will offer hand-sanitizer.

New state Gaming Control Board regulations require surfaces to be disinfected according to federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines and "increased attention" to high-touch hotel items like television remote controls and light switches. Guests will get free masks at large resorts, but won't be forced to use them. For blackjack dealers, bellhops, reservation clerks, security guards, housekeepers and waiters, masks are mandatory.

Other rules include four players only at roulette, six at craps. Plastic partitions will separate dealers from players and players from each other at the Bellagio, three at each table.