some Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group recently announced that all performers and staff are required to get the COVID-19 vaccine. Performers and staff that exercise their right to decline the vaccine are required to regularly submit to testing.
However, some Cirque du Soleil performers are still required to wear masks as they perform their precise acrobatic routines. Fortunately, masks are not required for “danger” performers; these include those who perform on the trapeze, straps, planche, or Chinese poles. However, away from the stage, everyone in the troupe must mask up.
The entertainment group offered everyone on its payroll $200 if they provided proof of full vaccination. Performers and staff could claim a religious exemption to refuse the vaccine.
Right now, it’s unknown whether Cirque will require its audience to also provide proof of vaccination or wear masks. However, on August 15, Nevada Governor Steve Sisolak implemented the mask mandate again, regardless of vaccine status. So obviously, this means audience members, and anyone inside a hotel or a casino will be required to wear masks.
Clark County, where Las Vegas is located, is operating at 80% capacity and also mandating 3 feet of social distancing. Once 60% of Clark County residents 16 and over have been vaccinated, entertainment events won’t require social distancing, as long as positive coronavirus tests in the county remain below 5%. However, despite all that, the mask mandate will continue.
Cirque du Soleil Returns to Las Vegas
The vaccine policy began in June, prior to the return of “O” at the Bellagio and “Mystere” at Treasure Island. On August 19, Cirque reopened “Michael Jackson One” at Mandalay Bay, and on August 26, “Love” reopens at the Mirage. Cirque du Soleil plans to reopen “Ka” in late October.
Chief Executive Officer Daniel Lamarre said in an interview last November that he felt large-scale vaccination would be necessary before people would feel comfortable returning to live entertainment venues.
While Cirque du Soleil will comply with Governor Sisolak’s mandates, Lamarre hopes that live entertainment will soon be able to operate at full capacity, with no social distancing. In order to break even, Cirque shows need 40% capacity. But, with 100% capacity, the performance company can make up for income lost during the shutdown, and keep people employed.
Prior to the Covid mandated shutdowns along the Strip, Cirque du Soleil employed more than 1,350 people in Las Vegas. Thus far, most of them are returning to work.
Cirque du Soleil’s reopening in Las Vegas is also under new ownership. Last June, the Canadian company filed for bankruptcy and laid off 3,500 people, or 95% of its employees globally. The performance group emerged from bankruptcy under new ownership, Canadian private equity firm, Catalyst Capital Group. Among the new board members is a former MGM executive; four of the five Cirque shows in Las Vegas are at MGM properties. Cirque du Soleil received a $375-million infusion to help relaunch the performances post-pandemic.
Guarded Optimism Over the Return of Las Vegas Entertainment
To some, Cirque’s return is cause for optimism that Las Vegas entertainment will regain its pre-Covid glory. However, the Las Vegas Strip still has many challenges to overcome.
Fortunately, the number of visitors was up in June by more than 179%, according to the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority. Hotel occupancy was up by 35% during that period, and the airport passenger count was up by more than 256%. Overall, things are beginning to look up in Las Vegas, as well as in Mesquite and Laughlin.
Southern California sends the largest number of visitors to Las Vegas and also, this group buys more tickets to Las Vegas shows. Vegas is only a two-hour drive from the Los Angeles area; this makes Vegas an easy escape, with slightly fewer Covid mandates compared to LA.
However, last fall, as the Strip began to reopen, the resorts lowered their room rates in an attempt to lure tourists back; however, that goodwill backfired, attracting less desirable tourists from Los Angeles. For a few weeks last fall, the glamorous Las Vegas Strip became the scene of LA gang violence. In fact, Sheriff Joe Lombardo blamed the violence on the low room rates and urged the hotels to raise their rates. In response to the sheriff’s plea, Wynn Resorts raised room rates and increased security at its properties.
Almost a year after reopening, the Las Vegas Strip looks to be on track to regain its reputation as a gambling and entertainment mecca. Hopefully, the mask mandates and social distancing rules will soon be gone. Vegas is more than ready to once again be truly fabulous.
