Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

Gatherings in Nevada can reach 50% capacity starting Monday

Vegas Golden Knights vs Minnesota Wild

Wade Vandervort

Vegas Golden Knights fans celebrate a goal against Minnesota Wild during an NHL hockey game at T-Mobile Arena, Monday, March 1, 2021.

Updated Friday, March 12, 2021 | 7:08 p.m.

Nevada is allowing gatherings, including conventions and trade shows, to operate at 50% capacity starting Monday, officials announced Friday.

Organizers wishing to exceed 250 attendees must first gain approval from the Department of Business and Industry by submitting a large-gathering safety plan.

The increase from a 20% capacity signals a significant milestone in the gradual reopening of the state from COVID closures last March that crippled the economy and brought record jobless rates of nearly 30%.

In a Twitter post, Gov. Steve Sisolak wrote, "As NV makes progress on our Roadmap to Recovery, we will remain flexible & make adjustments to our Safe Reopening Plan. Today, we announced exciting updates that will allow for larger gatherings & events in the safest way possible."

The increase will be beneficial for everyone from the Golden Knights (up to 9,000 fans at T-Mobile Arena) to the many casino showrooms with performances scheduled to soon return.

The state also said casino floors, gyms, dance and fitness studios, bowling alleys, and billiard halls on Monday can increase capacity from 35% to 50%.

"More great news for Nevada’s recovery and bringing more employees back to work!," the Nevada Resort Association posted on Twitter. "Expanding capacity at large gatherings is a huge step forward for the speed of Las Vegas’ recovery."

Virginia Valentine, president and CEO of the resort association, said the move "provides event and meeting organizers with more predictability for future events while also streamlining the large gathering approval process.”

In a statement Friday evening, Steve Hill, president and CEO of the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, said the city is “eager to welcome back business travelers” and that there is a “pent-up demand” for the return of in-person meetings and conventions in Las Vegas.

The first major convention this year in Las Vegas is expected to be the World of Concrete trade show in June.

The show is scheduled to be the first wide-scale event inside the $989 million West Hall expansion at the Las Vegas Convention Center campus.

The state will be tasked with approving the safety plan for groups looking to exceed capacity through May 1, which is when the state is scheduled to give authority to individual counties to approve.

President Joe Biden this week established a goal of having the COVID vaccine available for every adult who wants one by May. Nevada officials on Friday couldn't guarantee that would happen in the Silver State, but said the target was “giving us something to all work towards.”

Nevada tourism workers this week became eligible to receive the vaccine, paving the way for the workforce in the resort corridor to be inoculated as crowds continue to grow.

The easing of restrictions come as virus cases continue to decline. The state Health Department reported Clark County was showing a rolling average of 170 new cases and five related deaths a day over the past two weeks.

As of Wednesday, 300 people were hospitalized with confirmed or suspected cases of COVID-19, with 72 of them in intensive care.

The encouraging news prompted Caesars Entertainment on Friday to announce Planet Hollywood (Monday) and Linq (March 22) are returning to full operation. Also Friday, the Cosmo announced its Wicked Spoon Buffet is returning.

“We are excited to welcome even more guests back to two of our popular resorts seven days a week,” said Sean McBurney, regional president of Las Vegas operations for Caesars Entertainment, in a statement. “With Governor Sisolak’s recent announcement, we are encouraged Las Vegas will continue to rebound beyond expectations. Spring break, the big college basketball tournament, pool season and more are around the corner, and we can’t wait to see more friendly faces on the casino floor.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.