LAS VEGAS – Nevada’s governor, Steve Sisolak, has extended the state’s extensive COVID-19 shutdown an extra two weeks, through April 30. That means the Vegas Strip, the state’s cash cow, remains shut down, as well as many small businesses.
However, the hotels along the Strip are taking reservations in expectation of a reopening. This should give hope to the nearly 100,000 Nevadans who have applied for unemployment.
Caesars Entertainment spokesman Richard Broome said, “We want to be in the position to accept business as soon as it’s deemed appropriate to reopen.”
Caesars closed its nine properties on the Strip, the iconic Caesars Palace and the Flamingo among them – on March 18. That’s when Nevada Governor Steve Sisolak ordered all casinos statewide, as well as “nonessential” businesses to close, to stop the spread of COVID-19.
Casino operators taking hotel reservations
Casino operators like Wynn and Caesars had begun accepting hotel reservations on their websites after April 17; the end date of Nevada’s first closure order.
However now, the major players along the Strip, Caesars, MGM Resorts, Wynn and Las Vegas Sands, are taking reservations beginning May 1.
Unfortunately, the hotels along the Strip are preparing for the governor to issue yet another extension as the contagious coronavirus continues to spread throughout Las Vegas, and the world.
Venetian spokesman Keith Salowski pointed out that, “The date is subject to change.”
“We would drop reservations if or when it becomes clear that Governor Sisolak intends to extend the order,” Broome said of reservations made at Caesars properties.
Likewise, any room bookings made before May 1 at MGM Resort properties will be automatically canceled and fully refunded. Guests don’t need to take any action, the company said. Guests will be notified of the cancellation and refund by email.
Nevada tackles COVID-19
The number of cases, as well as deaths attributed to the novel coronavirus in Nevada, has accelerated; by April 1, state health officials revealed the number of cases had reached 1,279 positive test results and 31 deaths. It must be noted, the vast majority of these cases are in the Las Vegas metro area.
Governor Sisoslak quickly extended the shutdown to April 30, as well as ordering Nevadans to stay home, in an attempt to slow the spread of the coronavirus. Governor Steve Sisolak also issued an order placing a moratorium on all home evictions across the state. That order will remain in effect for the duration of Nevada’s state of emergency.
The hotel-casino closures have led to massive job loss throughout the Silver State. Nevada recorded the biggest percentage increase in weekly unemployment claims in more than thirty years, just before Sisolak’s first call for the closure of Nevada’s casinos and “non-essential” businesses.
The level of statewide unemployment claims is unprecedented; to date, unemployment has reached a level more than 10 times that of the Great Recession. Across the state, more than 92,000 people have applied for unemployment benefits.
COVID-19 devastates the national economy
The nation’s unemployment rate could reach an astonishing 32% in the second quarter; 47 million workers nationwide have been laid off due to shutdowns attributed to the coronavirus outbreak.
That would be the highest jobless rate on record, easily topping the 25% unemployment rate during the Great Depression.
While the Trump administration and the Congress have initiated the $2 Trillion Coronavirus Aid Package, that does not replace a true economy. The fact remains, thousands of small businesses will be shut for good, leaving millions of American workers unemployed, even as the crisis passes.
While the major players along the Las Vegas Strip may be able to bounce back, sadly, many of the small businesses could close forever.
