Major operators get ready to reopen
MGM Resorts International, Caesars Entertainment, and Boyd Gaming will begin testing their Las Vegas staff for coronavirus on Thursday, ahead of their return to work. According to a joint statement, the three major casino companies are partnering with the University Medical Center to administer tests at the Las Vegas Convention Center.
results available within 48 hours
Returning staff are to schedule a testing appointment, with results available within 48 hours, the statement said. Positive tests will be sent to staff and the Southern Nevada Health District, which will manage contact tracing.
“The ability to safely reopen our properties has been our singular focus over the past several weeks,” MGM acting CEO and president Bill Hornbuckle said, following announcements by MGM and Boyd that they will be reopening casinos in other states as early as next week.
Daily monitoring of MGM, Boyd employees
Free COVID-19 tests are currently voluntary for furloughed MGM employees. They will now be offered to those who are called back to work at their respective properties.
MGM Resorts, which is reopening ahead of its anticipated schedule, will begin with the Bellagio and New York-New York premises. Staff will also be monitored daily for possible signs of COVID-19, whether or not they passed the initial coronavirus test, the company said.
Boyd meanwhile is mandating free testing for its Nevada staff. Whether or not the test is compulsory could depend on where someone works. However, spokesman David Strow said there are other testing resources available, including a drive-thru site that the company is hosting at The Orleans Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.
Caesars staff to be pre-screened
In the joint statement, Caesars CEO Tony Rodio announced that all company staff would complete a pre-screening questionnaire. He added that “the results would determine the need for a COVID-19 test before returning to work.”
up to 4,000 samples a day for testing
The COVID-19 employee testing plan will see the University Medical Center and the Las Vegas Culinary Health Fund collect up to 4,000 samples a day from staff across all three operators. Information on testing and scheduling appointments will be provided by the employers as well as the Culinary Union, which represents casino workers in Nevada.