Skip to main content

Wynn Resorts CEO calls for careful Las Vegas reopening in May

News
Wynn Resorts hotel coronavirus attractions news

CEO of Wynn Resorts, Matt Maddox, has laid out the steps he believes Nevada should take to reopen Las Vegas, which he hopes will happen in early May.

In an opinion piece for the Nevada Independent, Maddox praised the Nevada Governor for taking early action against COVID-19, saying that “his decisions saved lives.”

Nevada economy struggling

Wynn Resorts was the first casino resort to close in Nevada. It is paying its full and part-time staff until 15 May, which is costing them around $3 million each day, or $180 million for two months.

However, Maddox said that now “our economy is in a freefall. Nevada will likely be one of the hardest hit states in the nation”.

Taking advice from professional infectious disease experts on the best scientific cleaning methods, Maddox has created a detailed plan on how Nevada and Las Vegas can reopen safely.

Detailed plan for reopening

He stresses that “science and data must lead us out of this in a safe fashion.” These steps include opening parts of Nevada in early May, reducing occupancy and putting physical distancing measures into place. Temperature checks should occur, and no large gatherings should take place.

“We all need to wear a mask” Maddox stresses, because “it will allow our economy to reopen faster.”

It is very important that “hospitalizations and deaths per million should not exceed the national average over any sustained period.” As part of this, COVID-19 testing should be increased. Maddox says that the “state, the medical community, the Task Force and resort industry leaders are focused on ways to vastly enhance testing” and it should happen over the next few weeks.

Maddox also highlights that many hospitals are currently in crisis. As they have stopped elective procedures and surgeries, they may face significant layoffs as their income is reduced. In order that the healthcare system remains intact, it is vital that they begin these producers again, whilst still retaining the capacity for COVID-19 patients.

Continual monitoring of the situation is necessary

As long as the state remains in line with benchmarks in mid to late May, the Las Vegas strip should begin to reopen with “extensive safety measures in place.” The situation needs to be monitored carefully, expanding or reducing opening measures as needed.

Maddox is under no illusion that these measures may not stay in place forever. If there is a spike in cases, then these reopenings will have to be pulled back.

“However,” Maddox says, “the only way to cross this river is one stone at a time, and we need to put our feet in the water before it is too late.”

In 2019, Wynn Resorts announced a $2bn Crystal Pavilion expansion with art museum, immersive theatre, interactive sculptures, and two hotel in Macau.

The immersive attraction AREA15 in Las Vegas recently shared survival tips for getting through the lockdown. In the video, two aliens who are quarantined in the Nevada desert offered advice to humans on how to avoid boredom.

Image: Wynn Resorts

Share this

Alice Sarsfield-Hall

Alice is business development manager and looks after blooloop’s clients, new business and events. She studied English Literature and French at the University of Leeds. A Disney and Harry Potter geek, you can usually find her reading, baking or at a museum.

More from this author

More from this author

Related content

Your web browser is out of date. Update your browser for more security, speed and the best experience on this site.

Find out how to update