The Nevada Gaming Control Board has issued a statement to licensees after a mandatory statewide shutdown was extended by Governor Steve Sisolak, as Caesars Entertainment issues an update on its COVID-19 protocols.
As a result of the update casinos, schools and non essential businesses are to remain closed until April 30, representing a 13 day extension from the previous mandated month-long shutdown ordered on March 17.
The Governor updated Nevada’s more than three million population on social media by stating: “Today I formally issued a Stay at Home order & extended all other directives under the State Emergency Declaration, incl. the school, nonessential business & gaming closures, until 4/30.”
Enforcing the temporary suspension of licensee operations, the NGCB reminded licensees that “All gaming devices, machines, tables, games, and any equipment related to gaming activity must be shut down until 11:59pm on April 30, 2020.”
Pursuant to change subject to further directives, it added: “Additionally, based on the Governor’s Declaration of Emergency originally issued on March 12, 2020, and extended on April 1, 2020, the board hereby approves the temporary closure of all licensed gaming establishments that have ceased operations of all licensed games during the duration of the ordered closure utilizing the provisions in Regulation 9.010(4).
“Upon termination of the Declaration of Emergency Directive 002, the provisions of Regulation 9.010(2) shall apply. Pursuant to Regulation 9.010(5), a temporarily closed establishment still holds a valid gaming license under the same conditions as it operated prior to the temporary closure.”
The stay-at-home directive still allows essential functions such as grocery shopping and driving to an essential business, as well as allowing outdoor activity like walking but the public has been reminded to continue adhering to other previous statements and protocols regarding limiting groups to less than 10 and keeping 6ft of social distance.
Furthermore, Caesars Entertainment is expecting approximately 90 per cent of employees at its domestic, owned properties, as well as its corporate staff, to be temporarily furloughed.
With temporary shutdowns implemented in over 30 US states, and “given the uncertain duration of the property closures throughout the network,” Caesars is moving to the minimum workforce required for basic operations.
“Given the closure of our properties, we are taking difficult but necessary steps to protect the company’s financial position and its ability to recover when circumstances allow us to reopen and begin welcoming our guests and employees back to our properties,” said Tony Rodio, CEO of Caesars Entertainment.
“The company entered this crisis with strong operating performance, which, combined with the steps we are taking now, are critical to the future of our company.”
As part of its efforts, Caesars are taking steps to support its team members through the effects of these difficult actions. This includes paying furloughed employees for the first two weeks of the closure period, with those individuals able to use their available paid time off after that.
