After a brutal year caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, casinos everywhere are finally starting to return to normal. First, casinos in several states were allowed to increase their capacities to 80%, then 100%, while maintaining certain health restrictions, such as social distancing and the use of face masks. Nevada is raising the bar, and many casino operators across the state are no longer going to enforce these protocols, although some caveats still apply.
Several casinos and resorts in the Reno area have decided to ditch the use of masks altogether. Among these are Atlantis Casino Resort Spa, specific Caesars Entertainment properties, Grand Sierra Resort, and Peppermill Resort Spa Casino. The Caesars properties include the Eldorado, Silver Legacy, and Circus Circus.
Employees at some venues, including the Grand Sierra and the Atlantis, will keep the mask policy in place for employees, but not for much longer. The Atlantis has indicated that its workforce will be able to ditch the face coverings as of June 1, while the Grand Sierra has only stated that it will keep its mask policy in place for now, without providing a date for the requirement to be lifted. Caesars’ properties aren’t going to require its employees to wear masks as we advance.
There is one exception that applies to all of the properties, even to Caesars, for both guests and employees. Only those who have received the COVID-19 vaccination are allowed to go mask-free. However, the onus is on the individual to adhere to the property’s wishes, as it seems none of them will be checking to see if a vaccination is in place. As explained by the Atlantis, in line with policies of other properties, “The Atlantis trusts guests to adhere to these latest guidelines and therefore, will not ask guests to wear masks.”
