Silver State Shutdown: Sisolak Closes Casinos, Non-Essential Businesses in Nevada for 30 Days, Tells Residents to Stay Home
Posted on: March 17, 2020, 05:59h.
Last updated on: March 18, 2020, 10:05h.
In a stern voice underlying the stakes at hand, Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak announced Tuesday evening all non-essential businesses – including casinos – would be shut down for the next 30 days, as the state looks to control the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus.
![](https://www.casino.org/news/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Sisolak-addresses-30-day-shutdown.jpg)
“You’re being told not to go out,” he told Nevada residents during a nearly 20-minute press conference announcing the shutdown.
For most non-essential businesses, such as gyms, beauty shops, and theaters, the shutdown takes effect at noon PT on Wednesday.
Gaming devices, though, were another matter.
Every gaming device must be turned off by midnight tonight,” he said. “The casinos will not be open and have any gambling activity. That includes the bars, includes the convenience stores, includes the grocery stores. All gaming operations must cease by midnight tonight.”
Businesses that will remain open for the next 30 days include grocery stores, pharmacies, banks, hardware stores, and convenience stores. He also discouraged residents from hosting parties or sleepovers or to take part in athletic events.
So far, more than 50 people have tested positive for the virus in Nevada, with one death already reported.
“My ultimate goal here is to come together as Nevadans to save lives,” he said. “That requires aggressive strategies aimed at mitigating community spread. Medical professionals have made it abundantly clear that there is no treatment. While the vaccine is being developed, we don’t have time to waste.”
Other Communities Taking Similar Action
The unprecedented shutdown of the gaming industry took place after several casino chains, including MGM Resorts International and Wynn Resorts, have already announced they would shut down because of the pandemic that has crippled business in tourist-dependent Las Vegas.
It also comes after several counties in California’s Silicon Valley issued a similar shelter-in-place advisory on Monday that limited the types of businesses that could remain open through April 7. The New York Post has reported that New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio is considering similar action in America’s largest city.
https://twitter.com/GovSisolak/status/1240102596083200000
Sisolak only wanted to talk Tuesday about maintaining the health and well-being of the general public during the COVID-19 outbreak. Hospitals in Nevada now have the bandwidth to handle the most critical patients suffering from the effects of the coronavirus. However, since 80 percent of those who have the coronavirus have little, if any, symptoms, it’s still important for people to remain at home to keep the virus from spreading out of control to the point it overly taxes the state’s medical resources.
He added that the only made the decision after conferring with the White House, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, medical professionals, and business and labor leaders.
“I’m not here to talk about money and bailouts today,” he said.
Casinos Complying With Order
Within moments of Sisolak’s proclamation, the casinos that had remained open announced they would be abiding by the directive.
“I’d like to thank our loyal guests for their support and all of our employees for their hard work during this crisis,” tweeted Derek Stevens, who owns The D Casino and Hotel and the Golden Gate Hotel and Casino. “Although this is a devastating time for our community, I’m confident the Las Vegas resiliency will allow us to rise again, stronger than ever.”
While casinos will be closed in Nevada for the time being, online sports betting applications, like Stevens’ Circa Sports, William Hill, and BetMGM, will remain available. However, even those applications are limited for the time being, due to most sporting events having been canceled or rescheduled because of the coronavirus outbreak.
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Last Comments ( 9 )
GOOD LUCK TO ALL THE POLITICIANS FOR RE-ELECTION AFTER THIS EVENT.
Last time I went to my bank they had spacing decals up in the bank. Also the ignorant people who have no idea what the signs mean that is the problem. Lot of people don’t speak English nor racist fact and the banks don’t go bilingual with their signs. Just saying. Even the people that can read the signs don’t pay attention.
Shutting down Lake Mead is idiocy. If there is one place around Vegas where people can stay 6 feet apart with no difficulty it is at Lake Mead. Hoover Dam? OK, that's different. But along Lake Shore Rd? Let's be real. Now just watch as cooped up people with nothing to do start going crazy and watch the domestic violence cases and suicide rates explode. This city is beginning to feel like a prison. If it stays shut down three or four months,it will be permanently damaged and will start a long downhill glide into bankupcy.
Come-on Roxanne, that's a little selfish. You want banks to close, what about your customers that desperately need banking services (access to their money) right now? Also, you might feel a little different if the bank was going to go out of business during your requested closure, like many small businesses. For you, it most likely would be a temporary vacation, but for many small business employees, it's long-term unemployment. You should be happy the company you work for can stay open, and you get to keep your job. Many of us don't have the luxury; we are suddenly unemployed.
I work in the banking industry and I am wondering why the banks have to stay open. Me, being a banker, have to sit across my desk while interacting with customers and the 6 foot rule doesn’t come into play as I sit close to them. Standing in the lobby, customers are face to face, standing only a couple of feet away while talking. Not knowing if they are infected, some have no symptoms, it is a very uneasy feeling! The tellers are behind glass barriers, but us bankers are not protected! I think it was a poor decision to leave bank branches open!
What a poorly written article
It is good to see MGM, Wynn and other gaming establishments took the initiative to close down. Gov. Steve Sisolak did what was inevitable in this very unique problem. Las Vegas centers itself around socialization as does the virus. Without a doubt Las Vegas will bounce back and the virus will not.
Dumbest most irresponsible move ever. What a fricken jackass. Go ahead and try to enforce this. No way I’m shutting down so you can play politics with my livelihood!! No way! I’m all for taking all necessary precautions but common sense needs to prevail. The recall of this governor will happen.
We as God fearing people are doing our part, seeking God, to help heal the people and to prevent further problems. Pastor Hatcher