Las Vegas Strip revelers gather in front of Caesars Palace on New Year’s Eve, Thursday, Dec. 31, 2020.
Thursday, Dec. 30, 2021 | 2 a.m.
More than 300,000 revelers are expected on the Strip and downtown Las Vegas for the return of New Year’s Eve fireworks, despite rising case levels of COVID-19, city and Clark County officials said.
“The eyes of the world will focus on Las Vegas once again,” Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn Goodman said. “This is the beginning of 2022, and we know it’s going to be a good year for everyone once again. And the key to doing that is safety first, safety second and safety always.”
Even though fireworks were canceled last year, crowds of people still gathered on the Strip and on downtown’s Fremont Street to mark the beginning of the new year.
As this year winds down, Clark County is seeing a spike in coronavirus cases, with 2,021 new cases Wednesday, according to the Southern Nevada Health District.
But despite the troubling trend, “we have to get back the best we can to having normal lives,” Goodman said.
Masks and other COVID-19 mitigation measures will be enforced for indoor spaces, but face coverings and social distancing will be optional outdoors, officials said.
Clark County Commissioner Michael Naft said anyone who feels sick, even if they suspect they only have a cold, should stay home.
“Las Vegas is one of the most popular places in the world to ring in the new year, but public safety is and always will be our top priority,” he said.
Clark County Undersheriff Christopher Darcy said more than 1,200 Metro Police officers will be patrolling the Strip and another 200 downtown.
Glass and metal containers, coolers, strollers and oversized bags — bigger than 12-by-12-by-6 inches — are prohibited, including backpacks, purses and luggage, Darcy said.
“Our focus is on education before enforcement,” Darcy said. “Anyone seen with these items will be stopped and warned. We will ask them to leave or it may be confiscated.”
Freeway ramps to Las Vegas Boulevard will begin closing at 6 p.m. and the Strip will be shut down from Spring Mountain Road to Mandalay Bay Road starting at 6:30 p.m.
The Strip is expected to reopen after 6 a.m. on New Year’s Day, Darcy said.
Visitors should wear comfortable shoes, warm clothes and stay hydrated, Clark County Fire Department Deputy Chief Warren Whitney said.
Temperatures Friday are expected to dip to about 33 degrees, with about a 40% chance of rain, according to the National Weather Service.
“New Year’s Eve is typically one of the busiest nights for first responders,” Whitney said. “We will have a robust presence on the Strip.”
To help clean up after the party, Clark County will deploy more than 22 street sweepers to pick up an estimated 10 to 12 tons of trash along the Strip, Naft said.
Naft also warned people not to drink and drive. “Do not get behind the wheel of a car if you’re impaired. It’s that simple. There are no excuses,” he said.
