Las Vegas to Close All Non-Essential Businesses, Including All Casinos for 30 Days

las vegas strip

Due to unprecedented nature and effect of the Novel Coronavirus (Covid-19), effective Tuesday, March 17th at Midnight, all gaming operations, including every casino in Nevada should be fully closed, as ordered by Nevada Governor Steve Sisolak.

All non-essential businesses to the public, starting Wednesday, March 18, 2020 at Noon, will be closed for 30 days, but does not apply to essential services such as police, fire department, groceries, hospitals and pharmacies.

All Nevadans was asked to stay at home, maintain social distancing and to stay away from large gatherings.

As per Governor Steve Sisolak(video here):

  • Non-essential services such as beauty shops, barber shops, and nail, tanning, and waxing salons should close until further notice.
  • Only essential businesses should remain open such as, pharmacies, grocery stores, drug and convenience stores, banks and financial institutions, hardware stores, and gas stations. I am asking grocery stores consider special hours for the vulnerable populations
  • All gatherings should be postponed or canceled. This is not the time for sleepovers, playdates, concerts, theater outings, or athletic events. Although you may not be experiencing symptoms at this time, you may be contagious. Do not risk your own heath or the health of others.
  • Many of you will not be in your office or at work over the next few weeks. This is not a vacation and it’s not the time to catch up with friends. It’s definitely not the time to go to the movies. Every social contact increases your risk of exposure. The bigger the group, the higher your risk.
  • This means that you should stay away from auditoriums, stadiums, arenas, large conference rooms, meeting halls, and cafeterias.
  • I know in times of stress, many of you seek the release that comes from exercise. But this is not the time for you to be in a gym, healthclub, or fitness center. Until the risk goes away, find other ways to exercise such as home workouts, hikes, or other outdoor activities. But as you do so, remember to maintain social distancing from others doing the same.
  • Some events are unavoidable. We still want you to experience the joy of weddings, but this is not the time to bring your friends together — especially if this will require travel. Consider postponing the celebration to a time when the risk is low or eliminated.
  • For my friends making preparations to say goodbye to loved ones, please limit the attendance at funeral services. Consider outdoor services where the risk of exposure is less than inside
  • This is only common sense. In a time where people are getting sick from simply being near others, this is not the time for gyms to remain open. This is not the time for casinos to remain open. This is not a time for community recreation centers, clubhouses, movie theaters and malls to remain open. If your business brings groups of people together, it should not be open.
  • Although I cannot and will not say that places of worship should be closed, I strongly urge our faith leaders to find ways to deliver to your congregation without bringing them together in person.
  • Charitable food distribution sites, including the meals being distributed to our students in wake of the school closings, along with grocery stores should remain fully open and operational. Food services for healthcare facilities and other essential facilities should remain open. Any buffet or food stations used in charitable food distribution settings should transition to boxed meals or served through gloved staff members or volunteers.
  • Restaurants throughout Nevada, in addition to pubs, wineries, bars, and breweries that include meals provided by a full kitchen should be reduced to serving food only in a drive-thru, take-out or delivery capacity. No dine-in at food establishments should be allowed until further notice. This also includes food courts, coffee shops, catered events, clubs, bowling alleys, and other similar venues in which people congregate for the consumption of food or beverages.
  • Pubs, wineries, bars, and breweries that do not include meals provided by a full kitchen must close.

WHAT TO DO IF YOU’RE ALREADY THERE

If you’re already there, either arrange for alternate accommodations or request for a flight change home.

For last minute accommodations, all non-gaming hotels will still remain open and taking reservations for tonight.  Called in to a few hotels, and they’re still waiting for official instructions from the governor for subsequent days.

For something more economical, Airbnb may also be an option.   Get $40 OFF your first booking at Airbnb with this link.

HotelTonight is another good option for last minute discounted hotels.  Download HotelTonight and use promo code CHCHAN97 to get $25 OFF your first HotelTonight booking of $135 USD or more.

HotelsCombined is also another great place to find discounted hotel rates.  They are an online travel agency aggregator that searches all the different websites to find the best deals.

Most airlines are currently waiving change fees so check your respective airline and see.  Most of this stuff can all be done online, as contacting airlines right now will almost be impossible.

WHAT TO DO IF YOU HAVE TRAVEL PLANS OR IF YOU’RE ALREADY THERE

Please cancel all your reservations and flights if you haven’t done so yet.  Remember, the plan is for at least 30 days of closure, it may or may not be extended so plan accordingly.

Story is developing, please come back for further updating links for accommodations and travel.