Empty slot machines, deserted blackjack tables: Life comes to halt in Las Vegas as casinos close over virus
The sweeping closures will deal a heavy blow to tourists and gamblers.
By PTI |
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With US authorities now recommending that mass events with 10 or more people be canceled, MGM Resorts said it would temporarily suspend operations until further notice.
LOS ANGELES: Slot machines switched off, blackjack tables deserted... several of the biggest casinos in Las Vegas will shut their doors Tuesday to tackle the spread of the new coronavirus.
The sweeping closures will deal a heavy blow to tourists and gamblers -- and many of the city's vulnerable contract workers.
The virus claimed its first victim in Nevada on Monday, with a death reported in Clark County, which encompasses the Las Vegas Strip, a street packed with world-famous hotels and casinos.
With US authorities now recommending that mass events with 10 or more people be canceled, MGM Resorts said it would temporarily suspend operations until further notice.
"It is now apparent that this is a public health crisis that requires major collective action if we are to slow its progression," chairman Jim Murren said in a statement.
"Accordingly, we will close all of our Las Vegas properties... for the good of our employees, guests and communities," Murren said, adding the company intends to re-open the facilities "as soon as it is safe."
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The group operates casinos including the Bellagio, the MGM Grand, New York-New York and the Luxor -- in total, a third of those lining the glitzy Strip.
On Monday, videos posted to social media showed empty rooms in casinos which traditionally bustle with customers at all hours.
Wynn Resorts, another major hotel group, will also suspend operations from Tuesday, while Sands and Caesars are set to remain open on a restricted basis, local media reported.
The moves follow even more stringent measures in Atlantic City, where New Jersey governor Phil Murphy on Monday ordered all nine casinos closed.
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Besides the casinos themselves, Las Vegas has also been forced to follow much of the rest of the US in cancelling major events.
Marie Rhodes, a Las Vegas worker, published a video to Instagram saying she had been laid off "until further notice."
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CinemaCon, the movie theater industry's annual summit, is scrapped this year, while the NFL Draft will proceed without the public events that had been planned in Las Vegas.
Shows by magician David Copperfield and the Cirque du Soleil troupe are off. While a blow to tourists and the local economy, the worst affected are likely to be casino workers, the state's biggest union said Monday.
The 60,000-strong Culinary Union told AFP that it is negotiating to ensure that "all workers, regardless if they are under a union contract or not... should be paid during the time when business is closed." In a leaked letter to MGM employees, Murren said full-time workers would be paid two weeks beyond their last day if laid off and would receive benefits until the end of June.
"We deeply regret the strain it will cause families and our community partners, and we will do all we can to mitigate it," the letter reads.
The Review-Journal newspaper also reported layoffs at Caesars Entertainment, which owns several casinos including Caesars Palace. The company did not respond to AFP calls.
Marie Rhodes, a Las Vegas worker, published a video to Instagram saying she had been laid off "until further notice." "Some people won't be coming back. Twenty-one years at this joint, I know I'll be back, but I just talked to one of my co-workers who has no savings," she said.
"I don't know what they are gonna do, because we don't know how long this shit will last.
"Breaks my heart, my heart hurts right now."
Coronavirus Can Get Children Worried: Here's How To Have The Talk
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In the wake of coronavirus, several schools and colleges have been shut in many parts of the world to contain the spread of COVID-19. As public awareness and conversations around the novel virus increase, the situation can get the children anxious and worried for their family members and friends.
Parents, family members, teachers, healthcare professionals and trusted adults play a significant role in helping children make sense of what they hear in a way that is honest, accurate and minimise their fear or anxiety.
Dr Sreenath Manikanti, Senior Consultant Neonatologist & HOD Fortis La Femme Hospital, Richmond Road, Bangalore shares a few tips to help make the corona conversation easier around children.
In the wake of coronavirus, several schools and colleges have been shut in many parts of the world to contain the spread of COVID-19. As public awareness and conversations around the novel virus incr..
Read More
- Remember that children react to how and what things are said
- Children pick up cues from conversations you have with them and others
- Patiently listen to what they say, and allow them to ask questions
- Avoid using words that might blame others and lead to stigma
- Remember that the virus can make anyone sick. Avoid making assumptions about who might have COVID-19
- Pay attention to what children see, hear or read on television, radio or online
- Reduce the amount of screen time for children focused on COVID-19. Too much information on any one topic can lead to anxiety and worry
- Provide information to kids that is honest and accurate. Give information that is truthful and appropriate for the age and developmental level of the child
- Talk to children about how some stories on COVID-19 on the internet and social media may be based on rumours and inaccurate information
- Teach chilren everyday actions to reduce the spread of germs
- Stay calm and keep information simple
- Reassure children that health and school authorities are working very hard to keep everyone safe and healthy
- Teach dos and don'ts at home, schools and play areas
- Remember that children react to how and what things are said
- Children pick up cues from conversations you have with them and others
- Patiently listen to what they say, and allow them to ask qu..
Read More
- Stay 6 feet away from people who are coughing or sneezing or sick
- Cough or sneeze into a tissue or your elbow, and then throw the tissue into a closed bin
- Wash hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after blowing nose, coughing or sneezing, after using restroom, and before eating or learning to prepare food
- If soap and water are not available, teach children to use hand sanitiser
- Stay 6 feet away from people who are coughing or sneezing or sick
- Cough or sneeze into a tissue or your elbow, and then throw the tissue into a closed bin
- Wash hands with soap and water for a..
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- Avoid touching mouth, nose, eyes and face with unclean hands
- Avoid coughing or sneezing into hands
- Avoid crowded places
- Avoid touching surfaces in public places and play areas unnecessarily
- Avoid touching mouth, nose, eyes and face with unclean hands
- Avoid coughing or sneezing into hands
- Avoid crowded places
- Avoid touching surfaces in public places and play areas unnecessaril..
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What is COVID-19?
- COVID-19 is the short name for 'coronavirus disease 2019'
- It is a new virus. Doctors are still learning more about it
- Recently, this virus has made a lot of people sick
- Doctors and scientists think that most people will be alright, especially kids, but some people might get very sick
- Doctors and experts are working hard to help people stay healthy
What is COVID-19?
- COVID-19 is the short name for 'coronavirus disease 2019'
- It is a new virus. Doctors are still learning more about it
- Recently, this virus has made a lot of people sick
- ..
Read More
- Practice healthy habits at home, school and play to help protect against the spread of COVID-19
- Cough or sneeze into a tissue or your elbow. If you sneeze or cough into a tissue, throw it in the dustbin right away
- Keep your hands out of your mouth, nose and eyes. This will help keep germs out of your body
- Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If you don’t have soap and water, use hand sanitiser to clean the germs
- Keep things clean and hygienic
- If you have cough & fever, stay home. Just like you don’t want to get other people’s germs in your body, other people don’t want to get your germs either
- If you are old enough, you can help adults at home and school clean the things we touch the most like desks, doorknobs, light switches and remote controls
- Practice healthy habits at home, school and play to help protect against the spread of COVID-19
- Cough or sneeze into a tissue or your elbow. If you sneeze or cough into a tissue, throw it in the..
Read More
- COVID-19 can look different in different people. From what doctors have seen so far, most kids don’t seem to get very sick
- Being sick with COVID-19 would be a little bit like having the flu. Children may get a fever, cough or have a hard time taking deep breaths
- Most people who have contracted COVID-19 don't get very sick. Only a small group of people who get it have had more serious problems
- If you suspect your child may have COVID-19, call Government of India helpline +91-11-23978046 or contact nearest healthcare facility to let them know before you bring your child in to see them
- COVID-19 can look different in different people. From what doctors have seen so far, most kids don’t seem to get very sick
- Being sick with COVID-19 would be a little bit like having the flu. Chi..
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