Businesses and attractions are closed across the country. But when the Las Vegas Strip is forced to close, the impact is indelible.
The Strip
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The “Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas” sign stands alone as a civic icon. It’s been standing largely alone, in fact, during the coronavirus outbreak.
With casinos across the country temporarily shut down during the coronavirus crisis, operators are facing a period with zero income and a limited supply of cash.
The Las Vegas Strip remains largely an empty space from one end to the other. Doors are locked. Traffic is minimal.
Hotel-casino employees worked toward complying with Gov. Steve Sisolak’s move to close all nonessential Nevada businesses for 30 days in an effort to curb the spread of COVID-19.
Around 1 p.m. Wednesday, crews could be seen working all around the stadium, carrying out signage work and curtain wall duties, among a bevy of tasks.
Shoppers were nowhere in sight at Fashion Show mall on the Las Vegas Strip on Wednesday.
Las Vegas police demonstrated an increased security presence at some of the shuttered Strip properties early Wednesday.
For at least the next 30 days, casinos on the Las Vegas Strip and across Nevada will sit empty. No tourists. No jackpots. No entertainment. No buffets.
St. Patrick’s Day revelers at Rock & Reilly’s pub watched Gov. Steve Sisolak’s news conference announcing the 30-day closure of casinos and other nonessential business. After the conference, REM’s “It’s the End of the World as We Know it” played at the pub.
Sisolak’s order follows the issuance of executive orders and gaming regulatory decisions to close properties in six other states that offer casino gambling.
It is the first such halt in performances, other than for maintenance, in the attraction’s 21-year history.
Visitors depart hours ahead of scheduled shutdowns of the scheduled closures of the Strip megaresorts for several weeks — at least.
MGM Resorts International is closing its resorts in Las Vegas effective today.
Employees will continue to receive benefits and pay during the closure, which is set to last through at least March 31.