Las Vegas will begin the first phase of testing for COVID-19 on Thursday for the first of tens of thousands of casino employees in the city being called back to work before the resorts open their doors again. Included among them are poker room managers and dealers.
While state gambling regulators have yet to give the green light for casinos to reopen, or even a date for lifting restrictions, planning to reopen remains a priority so that when Governor Steve Sisolak gives the go-ahead, casinos can be ready. Some resorts are aiming to reopen by June 1.
Officials announced that they’ll start testing employees via scheduled appointments at the Las Vegas Convention Center. There will be no fee charged to employees to be tested.
The goal of the testing initiative is to collect up to 4,000 test samples each day. Results for each test are expected to be determined within 48 hours. Employees who test positive for COVID-19 will be referred to the Southern Nevada Health District for contact tracing.
“COVID-19 testing ensures that Culinary Union members are safe when they return to work,” said Geoconda Argüello-Kline, Union Secretary-Treasurer, also noting that the health and safety of employees and guests remain the top priority.
Costs for the wide-ranging COVID-19 testing initiative were not disclosed in a joint statement made by MGM Resorts International, Caesars Entertainment, Boyd Gaming, University Medical Center, the Culinary Union Health Fund and the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority.
