MGM Resorts closes Las Vegas Strip nightclubs, citing coronavirus

Nevada casino companies announced more measures Friday to combat the spread of the new coronavirus, with the biggest resort owner on the Las Vegas Strip immediately closing all nightclubs, day clubs, spas, salons and gyms at its properties.

MGM Resorts International announced the moves as President Trump declared a national emergency, and less than 24 hours after Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak declared a state of emergency while hinting he may consider banning mass gatherings as other governors have done.

Officials at University of Nevada campuses in Reno and Las Vegas responded by canceling on-campus instruction. They’ll go to online-only classes when students return from spring break March 23.

Health officials in Las Vegas announced eight more people had tested positive for the virus in Clark County. New cases include a man in his 20s who is a close contact of another person with a confirmed case. He is being monitored at home.

Two women over age 40 are hospitalized. They bring to four the number of people hospitalized with the virus in southern Nevada.

Washoe County reported one new case — a woman in Reno who traveled recently to Europe.

In all, authorities report 20 positive tests statewide. No deaths have been reported.

The goal of authorities is to slow the virus spread to avoid overwhelming hospitals with those sickened by an illness that no one in the world has immunity to. Worldwide, more than 145,000 people have been infected and more than 5,400 have died, but half of those who had the virus have already recovered.

MGM Resorts, the first casino operator this week to announce it was temporarily closing its buffet restaurants, announced Friday it was closing day clubs and nightclubs. Casino clubs have for more than a decade featured packed dance floors awash with electronic dance music and laser light shows into early hours of the morning. Day clubs and beach clubs draw big crowds to sun-splashed hotel pool parties with DJs, drinks and more.

Hours later, the company said it would also close spas, salons and fitness centers temporarily, starting Monday. The company did not immediately respond to an emailed inquiry asking what would happen to workers in those spaces.

Wynn Resorts on Thursday said it too was closing its all-you-can-eat buffets, along with any other large entertainment gatherings such as nightclubs and theater shows.

Wynn Resorts, which operates the Wynn and Encore resorts on the Strip, announced it will set up thermal cameras at entrances to its buildings to screen for anyone running a fever.

The company said in a statement its “non-invasive” thermal cameras would allow it to flag any resort guest or staff member registering a temperature of 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. It said those people will be “discretely informed” by security guards and won’t be allowed to remain in the property.

Clark County announced it was canceling all Parks and Recreation events that were expected to be attended by more than 250 people. The city of North Las Vegas announced a similar move, canceling all large, city-run events.

Las Vegas closed senior centers indefinitely, beginning Saturday.