On Monday, Harrah’s New Orleans Hotel & Casino will become the first casino in the United States to require either proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test to gain entry. The requirement comes as part of an indoor mandate laid out by New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell on Thursday.
Harrah’s won’t be the only location affected. A negative COVID-19 test or proof of vaccination will now be required to enter gyms, restaurants, bars, concerts and race tracks in New Orleans. This mandate officially goes into effect on Monday, August 16.
New Orleans is following the lead of other major cities looking to slow down the latest coronavirus outbreak with stricter mandates. New York City announced earlier this month that it would require proof of vaccination to enter restaurants, fitness centers and indoor entertainment venues. San Francisco rolled out similar restrictions this week.
Louisiana has been hit hard by the Delta variant of COVID-19. The Louisiana Department of Health reported a record 7,548 new cases of the coronavirus on Friday and 57 new deaths since Thursday. The COVID-19 death toll in Louisiana now stands at 11,519 people.
Will the World Series of Poker go on as scheduled?
As COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations continue to rise around the nation, poker players and fans continue to wonder whether or not the 2021 World Series of Poker will actually take place this year. And if it does, what will the requirements look like?
Clark County put a mask mandate back in effect late last month. The mandate requires everyone in the county to wear masks in all indoor locations. Assuming this mandate is not lifted ahead of the World Series of Poker, masks will be required inside the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino. Could mandatory COVID-19 vaccinations or negative tests (like the ones now required in New Orleans) become required to play in WSOP events?
AEG Presents has implemented a new COVID-19 policy for all of its locations around the nation, including the Theater at Resorts World Las Vegas and the upcoming Day N Vegas festival in November. All concert goers will be required to show proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test until October 1. After October 1, only proof-of-vaccine will be accepted.
The World Series of Poker has offered little guidance outside of the fact that players testing positive for COVID-19 may be disqualified at the WSOP’s discretion. The WSOP knows that stricter guidelines such as requiring vaccinations would have a major effect on attendance. Over the next few weeks, the company will need to decide whether field sizes or player and dealer safety are its top priority.
Featured Image Credit: Flickr - Jon Cutrer
