You Need to Wear Face Mask In Casinos Due to COVID-19

August 26, 2020October 15, 2021 Doris Jensen

More states in the united states with Nevada included which is home to more casinos than any other state in the united states are now putting wearing a face mask as a requirement for playing in the casinos and when in public. They put this as a requirement in order to curb the spread of COVID-19.

This development is considered a welcomed one, and for that reason, major gaming companies like Caesars and MGM are following suit.

Due To COVID-19, You Must Wear A Face Mask In Casinos

Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak has also ordered that face masks or coverings must be worn in public, including casinos because the state is trying its best to slow the recent spike in COVID-19 cases. The order took effect just two days after. Nevada casinos began reopening on June 4 after being closed since mid-March. About 20 states and the District of Columbia have mandatory face mask orders, according to CNN. Some states have implemented travel quarantines.

North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper, whose state has also seen an increase in coronavirus cases, issued an executive order Wednesday requiring people to wear face coverings in public, according to the Associated Press. His order also mandates face coverings for employees of retail businesses.

Also on Wednesday, Caesars Entertainment required masks to be worn at all times inside its casinos, except when eating or drinking, according to a news release. The order went into effect the same day.

Caesars properties have reopened in Louisiana, Mississippi, Iowa, Missouri, Nevada and Indiana, as have the company’s tribal properties in Arizona, California and North Carolina. The masking requirement will also apply to additional Caesars properties as they reopen in Maryland, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Illinois, the release said.

Why Do You Need To Wear A Face Mask At Casinos?

The U.S. saw an increase in the number of new coronavirus cases on Wednesday — 34,700, according to Johns Hopkins University tracking data. Many states reported some of their highest totals since the pandemic started, including Nevada.

“For Nevada to stay safe and to stay open, we must make face coverings a routine part of our daily lives,” Sisolak said Wednesday.

Wynn Resorts applauded the move by Sisolak, saying in a statement that “mandatory face coverings have had no impact on the ability of our employees to deliver great guest experiences. Similarly, we believe face coverings will not diminish the unique experiences only Las Vegas can offer visitors.”

Caesars said the new directive for its casinos came after evaluating the latest recommendations from health experts.

“As a result, we are immediately requiring everyone in our properties to wear masks, because the scientific evidence strongly suggests that wearing masks and practising social distancing may be the most important deterrents to spreading COVID-19 from person to person,” Tony Rodio, CEO of Caesars Entertainment, said in a news release.

With cases rising, MGM said the new safety measure was needed. It has previously only required employees to wear masks.

“It is clear that the coronavirus still presents a significant public health threat, and masks have proven to be one of the best ways to curtail the spread,” MGM said in a statement. “We want guests and employees to feel comfortable that we are putting their health and safety first.