MGM Resorts International added MGM Grand Las Vegas and The Signature condominium towers to the company plans for reopening its Strip casinos next week.
Originally, MGM said it would reopen just Bellagio and New York-New York when Nevada restarts its gaming industry after a more-than two-month shut down due to the coronavirus pandemic.
“As we plan for these openings, the health and safety of our guests and employees is at the forefront of all we do,” MGM Resorts acting CEO Bill Hornbuckle said in a statement Wednesday. “Getting many of our employees back to work and welcoming guests through our doors once again will allow us to do what we do best – entertain.”
MGM Grand is the company’s largest resort in Las Vegas and The Signature towers are connected to the Strip property.
The company saw its entire U.S. casino portfolio – more than two dozen properties in eight states – shut down in response to the pandemic. MGM reopened the Gold Strike in Tunica, Mississippi last week and will reopen Beau Rivage in Biloxi, Mississippi on Monday.
Nevada will allow casinos to reopen on June 4 under health and safety guidelines that call for reduced capacity and social distancing guidelines.
At the opening, MGM said amenities at all properties will be limited. The company will open additional venues within the resorts and other MGM properties on the Strip as demand customer demand for Las Vegas builds.
MGM Resorts recently released its comprehensive “Seven-Point Safety Plan,” a multi-layered set of protocols and procedures designed in conjunction with medical and scientific experts to mitigate the spread of the virus, protect customers and employees and rapidly respond to potential new cases.
In addition to restarting the Bellagio’s fountains, MGM said the resort’s indoor Conservatory will open with a new Japanese Spring Garden display called “Japan Journey: Magic of Kansai.”
Meanwhile, Caesars Entertainment said it would move forward with reopening gaming and hotel operation at Caesars Palace and Flamingo Las Vegas on June 4. Caesars also expects to see several retail and dining outlets along The Linq Promenade reopen, as well as the High Roller Observation Wheel.
Both properties will have dining options and access to their outdoor pools, as well as slot machines and table games. All offerings will operate in a manner consistent with physical distancing guidelines.
Caesars expects Harrah’s Las Vegas and the gaming floor at The Linq to be the next properties in Las Vegas to reopen, with timing based on customer demand.
Both MGM Resorts and Caesars are suspending paid self-parking fees at their properties in Las Vegas.
Howard Stutz is the executive editor of CDC Gaming Reports. He can be reached at hstutz@cdcgaming.com. Follow @howardstutz on Twitter.
