LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — The Westgate hotel-casino is requiring its employees to mask up again whether or not they are vaccinated.
The hotel-casino on Paradise Road told 13 Action News that they are doing it to keep both their employees and guests safe.
RELATED: Westgate among first Las Vegas casinos to mandate masks for employees, vaccinated or not
Additionally, Las Vegas Sands confirmed that it is also changing its mask policy. They sent the following statement:
In response to new recommendations from the Southern Nevada Health District, we now require that all Team Members (vaccinated or not) wear company-issued face masks while working in indoor public spaces, and in indoor areas where people congregate. In addition, we have revised our signs posted at public entrances to share this new SNHD recommendation. Complimentary face masks are available to our guests at Front Desks, Grazie Desks, and Concierge Desks.
The Southern Nevada Health District made a recommendation early Friday morning that everyone wear a mask in crowded indoor public spaces, including casinos.
MGM Resorts says it will add new signs throughout its properties to help inform guests and employees of the new recommendations from the Health District, though the company stopped short of saying masks will be required moving forward. In a statement emailed to 13 Action News, a company spokesperson said:
“Masks continue to be available at all MGM properties, and we remain vigilant with our health and safety protocols. We are closely monitoring the situation and are continually evaluating policies based on the latest information and circumstances. Our ongoing health and safety commitment incorporates lessons learned over the past year and a half and has permanently embedded health and safety protocols and preparation into our operations.”
Meanwhile, the Culinary Union continues to encourage hospitality workers to get the COVID-19 vaccine and posted a statement to its website in response to the updated recommendations. It reads in part:
The CDC said this week that more than 97% of people who have been admitted to the hospital with COVID-19 have *not* been vaccinated. The Culinary Union urges Nevadans who are not yet vaccinated to get the vaccine - it is the best way to protect you, your family, our community, our hospitality jobs, and our State’s industries.
Hospitality workers have had access to the COVID-19 vaccine since March 11, 2021 and as of April 5, 2021, any Nevadan 16 and older can be vaccinated. As hospitality workers and their family members continue to get the vaccine, the Culinary Union continues to encourage workers to take advantage of on-site vaccine clinics at work whenever they are available.
Read the full statement on culinaryunion226.org.
Health officials are concerned about the rising number of new cases and the rising number of hospitalizations in Nevada.
Los Angeles County reinstated its mask requirement for indoor spaces on Thursday (effective Saturday). It also advised its residents against traveling to Nevada.
Station Casinos says it is not commenting at this time.
The Circa hotel-casino and The D Las Vegas say they are not changing their policy at this time.
13 Action News has reached out to other hotel-casinos in the Las Vegas valley and is still waiting for responses.
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