When Will Las Vegas Reopen & How It Will Look Completely Different

When Will Las Vegas Reopen - New Date Set!

It seems like an eternity ago, but it has only been a little over two months since the casinos of the Las Vegas Strip (and all of Nevada) shuttered due to COVID-19. As you might expect these closures have had a catasrophic impact on the Nevada economy and everyone involved wants the casinos to open as quickly as possible. Thankfully, the Las Vegas Strip casinos now have a reopening date!

Let's look at when Vegas will reopen plus what Sin City might look like when the doors open to many of the world's largest casinos & hotels.

Nevada Moving Into Phase 2

As part of an announcement on May 26, 2020 Nevada Governor Steve Sisolak said the state would be moving into phase 2 of reopening on Friday May 29, 2020. In phase 2 gatherings of more than 50 people will still not be allowed, but many businesses such as bars and gyms will be able to open with 50% capacity and other limitations.

Among other facilities and businesses that will open in phase 2 are day and overnight spas, massage services and tattoo parlors. Swimming pools and even water parks will be able to open as well with capacity restrictions. This is good news for anyone wanting to splash around while visiting Vegas this Summer.

Las Vegas Strip Casinos to Reopen June 4, 2020

On May 26, 2020 Nevada Governor Steve Sisolak announced that Nevada casinos would be allowed to reopen on June 4, 2020 pending final regulations from the Nevada Gaming Control Board. "...we're open for business on June 4th and welcoming our out of town guests," Sisolak said in a phone call with media.

Related: Save Money on Las Vegas Strip Hotels at Vegas.com

Despite a go ahead to reopen, many of the famous Las Vegas Strip casinos won't open on that date. While some of the Strip's landmarks will reopen on June 4, 2020, companies like Caesars Entertainment and MGM Resorts have opted not to open all of their properties in the beginning. For example Caesars will start out with only Flamingo and Caesars Palace while MGM Resorts will open Bellagio, New York New York and MGM Grand in the beginning.

When Can You Start Booking Las Vegas Hotels?

As mentioned some Las Vegas casinos won't reopen with the rest of the Las Vegas Strip on June 4, 2020. For casinos that are opening, you can now book rooms for June 4, 2020 and beyond. This includes Treasure Island, Venetian, Cosmopolitan, Wynn/Encore, MGM Grand, New York New York, Bellagio and more.

Ceasars Entertainment is allowing bookings at all of their Vegas properties from June 4, 2020 as well, however they have announced only Flamingo and Caesars Palace will open on that date. I expect they'll be moving some guests with reservations at their other properties into Caesars Palace of Flamingo depending on the property type booked.

What Will Las Vegas Be Like When It Reopens?

We are starting to get a vision of what Las Vegas will look like when it reopens and it will definitely not be the same as before. Casinos are working on measures designed to comply with social distancing guidelines along with identifying sick individuals. Many of these measures have been implemented in Macau following its reopening and in regional casinos that are reopening now.

The Nevada Gaming Control board has released new requirements for Las Vegas Strip casinos before they reopen. They must submit health & safety plans 7 days before opening and many have already made those plans available to the public (see below). While these requirements will be new for both Vegas employees and guests, they will be enforced. "Gaming Control Board is going to be very aggressive on these properties, making sure guests are complying and following the new regulations," said Sisolak.

Strict Occupancy Limits & More: New Steps Vegas Casinos Must Take to Reopen

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• Temperature checks and health screenings for employees
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• Health screenings for arriving guests
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• Employees will be required to wear masks while guests will be strongly encouraged to wear masks
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• Crowds around the tables may not be permitted and seating positions may be eliminated
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• In many casinos every other machine will be turned off to force social distancing
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• Some restaurants like buffets and crowded areas like showrooms may not be open for some time

Keep in mind that Las Vegas casinos are complex operations with hotels, restaurants, casinos, spas and more all under the same roof. Expect every type of business on every level to implement new safety procedures when the Las Vegas Strip casinos reopen.

Each Las Vegas Casino's COVID-19 Health & Safety Policy

While each of the casinos will reopen with slightly different protocls for keeping guests safe, they will all comply with the rules and regulations set by the Governor and Nevada Gaming Control Board. Below you'll find links to the health and safety plans for each of the major casinos on the Las Vegas Strip.

All of the casinos will have increased sanitizing procedures along with some form of screening, forced social distancing and the use of personal protection equipment. These changes will both help with guest safety and ensure the Vegas experience will be different than what you have come to expect.

Here are the health and safety plans as released by the various Las Vegas Strip casinos:

While each of these Vegas Strip reopening plans is slightly different, they all have many of the same practices and procedures for keeping guests safe in the era of COVID-19.

Will Las Vegas Still Be Fun When It Reopens?

Will a Las Vegas full of temperature checks, face masks, closed buffets and social distancing still be fun? Las Vegas will no doubt be different than it was before, however the city has a way of adapting and mainting its relevance. I don't expect the "What Happens Here" mentality to go away nor will the fun. It will just be a little different for awhile.

And expect that things will change quickly once the city reopens. Las Vegas will find out what is working and what isn't and I slowly expect the "Vegas experience" to return over time. The Vegas we experience on June 4, 2020 when the Strip reopens will no doubt be different than the Vegas we'll find later in the year. Either way, it's good to know the Las Vegas Strip is reopening on June 4, 2020!

When Will Las Vegas Reopen - Bottom Line

So when will Las Vegas reopen? Some casinos will re-open as soon as June 4, 2020, however properties will have significant capacity constraints plus other procedural changes due to COVID-19. The good news is Las Vegas is reopening following the catastrophic impact COVID-19 has had on the Vegas economy. Barring any huge changes, expect many of the Las Vegas Strip casinos to be open in just a few days. That is exciting!

Are you looking to visit Las Vegas after it reopens? Do you have any concerns about the new health and safety guidelines that are being implemented? Share your thoughts in the comments!

Disclosure: Miles to Memories has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. Miles to Memories and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers. Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are the author's alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed or approved by any of these entities.

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