Paul Szydelko
Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak sought to reassure a state dependent on tourism about efforts to monitor and prepare for the Covid-19 coronavirus during a press conference Feb. 28.
"I understand that Nevadans have concerns and even fears about the coronavirus," Sisolak said. "We're going to prepare, not panic. We're going to choose collaboration over chaos."
Sisolak introduced more than two dozen federal, state and tribal partners working to ensure the health and safety of the public.
"Communication, knowledge and transparency are key in this evolving situation, and we will be working diligently to ensure that accurate and relevant information continues to be shared with the public," Sisolak said.
The region has had only two presumed positive cases reported as of press time (there have been four statewide), but several high-profile gatherings set for Las Vegas have been scrapped because of Covid-19 worries.
Adobe canceled its Las Vegas Adobe Summit, planned for March 29 to April 2 at the Venetian. About 22,000 guests were expected. It will become an online-only event.
Also canceled was Aruba's Atmosphere 2020 Las Vegas event, slated for March 22 to 27 at the new Caesars Forum.
The event, which focuses on technology, software and security, was expected to draw 3,000 people. Video streaming and smaller local events are being planned instead.
The Trump administration also canceled the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) annual summit set for March 14 in Las Vegas. U.S. presidents often attend Asean's annual meeting, and President Trump was expected to attend since the U.S. was hosting.
Most conventions and meetings, however, are proceeding as planned.
The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority is taking extra precautions at the Las Vegas Convention Center.
The convention center is welcoming 130,000 to Con Expo/Con-Agg 2020, a construction trade show, March 10 to 14. The center also will host ASD Market Week Winter 2020 (46,000 participants) March 22 to 25 and the Nightclub and Bar Show 2020 (39,000 people) March 31 to April 1.
Increased cleaning protocols include more frequent wiping and disinfecting of touch points throughout the facility during occupied show hours. Those include door handles, elevator buttons, handrails, restroom stall doors and sinks. Additional hand sanitizer stations have been strategically placed throughout the facility. Outside air intake/air change rates have been increased.
Las Vegas Convention Center employees have been reminded about standard health practices, said John S. Schreiber, the LVCVA's vice president of business sales. Food safety awareness programs have also been reinforced, he said.
"The LVCVA continues to actively monitor Covid-19 and is diligently working with the Southern Nevada Health District and the U.S. Travel Association to share updates as the health and safety of our employees and guests of the destination remains our utmost priority," Schreiber wrote to resort partners and meetings and convention clients on Feb. 26.
"Southern Nevada and resort properties have not been identified as being at higher risk for disease transmission," he said. "People who have not traveled to an area where the virus is circulating and have not had close contact with a patient who has tested positive for the virus continue to be at low risk for infection."
MGM Resorts International on March 6 announced temporary enhanced cleaning procedures and protocols at its properties, which include T-Mobile Arena, home of the Vegas Golden Knights and the host of the Pac-12 men's basketball tournament March 11 to 14.
Hand sanitizer dispensing stations have been placed in high-traffic areas such as entrances, exits, elevator landings and hotel lobbies. MGM is also increasing the frequency of disinfectant procedures on surfaces such as faucets and toilet flush levers; doorknobs and locks; entrance and exit doors and door handles; handrails; slot machine handles and armrests; elevator buttons; and light switches.
Planning continues for what is to be the biggest gathering scheduled this year in Las Vegas: the NFL Draft. More than 600,000 are expected to crowd the Strip April 23 to 25 for that event.
The NFL is "closely monitoring developments" related to Covid-19, a league spokesperson said.
"We have been in contact with the World Health Organization, CDC and the NFL-NFLPA medical experts at the Duke Infection Control Outreach Network Program for Infection Prevention," the league said in a statement released March 3. "We will continue those discussions throughout our off-season."
Becky Harris of UNLV's International Center for Gaming Regulation and former chairwoman of the Nevada Gaming Control Board, told Vegas Inc. that it's uncertain how the virus' spread might affect Las Vegas.
"If there were to be a coronavirus outbreak in Southern Nevada, that would potentially have serious consequences for the economy here," Harris told the newspaper. "We're just going to have to wait and see what happens and how this unfolds."