Vegas is back in business! Thousands swarm the Strip as casinos reopen at 50% capacity and the good times roll again
Crowds were seen strolling the Las Vegas Strip on Saturday and guests gathered shoulder-to-shoulder inside Sin City casinos as capacity restrictions are expected to ease to 50 percent on Monday.
Nevada's 'Roadmap to Recovery' plan remains on schedule and Gov. Steve Sisolak signed an emergency directive on Friday that loosens the state's coronavirus restrictions, according to a press release.
The capacity for gaming floors and other establishments will increase from 35 to 50 percent on Monday as the state saw only 222 new cases with just one new death on Sunday, according to state health data.
The governor's announcement on Friday seemed to open the pent-up floodgates, encouraging people to hit the slots and tables after more than a year of restrictions even though the official capacity rules don't go into effect until Monday.
In total, the state has counted 299,287 cases with 5,118 deaths. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 989,342 doses of the vaccine have been given.
A photo posted to Twitter shows a view of the Las Vegas Strip on Saturday as people were seen walking to visit casinos
People are seen walking in front of the Fremont Casino, left, and down the Fremont Street Experience LED display on Thursday night in downtown Las Vegas just ahead of the governor's announcement; afterward, even more people were seen jamming the streets, local media reported and social media showed
One TikToker posted a video of herself dancing without a mask in front of a Las Vegas casino this weekend while others pass by
Another TikToker shows a view inside a Las Vegas casino as patrons wear masks to comply with coronavirus restrictions
Another TikToker posted a view of shoulder-to-shoulder crowds on Fremont street in downtown Las Vegas this weekend. People were pictured gathered in front of the Golden Nugget
Casinos had operated at a limited capacity of 25% from November until February 15, when they were allowed to open with 35% capacity, Travel + Leisure reported.
The capacity increase scheduled for Monday includes gyms and other fitness establishments, arcades, racetracks, bowling alleys, mini-golf, pool halls and amusement and theme parks.
‘The 14-day moving average test positivity rate has steadily declined, but is still over the 5% threshold recommended by the WHO for reopening,’ Sisolak noted in the executive order.
Thousands of guests were seen shoulder-to-shoulder inside casinos and stores while largely obeying 'please wear a mask' signs, the Las Vegas Review-Journal reported.
One woman with a mask around her neck was told by two suited employees inside The Cosmopolitan to put her mask on her face and she obeyed, the outlet reported.
Lines formed outside multiple walk-up bars as the air smelled like cigarettes and weed.
Some people were pictured inside Las Vegas casinos not wearing masks as casinos worked to enforce mask mandates
Crowds were seen wearing masks walking down packed Las Vegas streets on the strip in videos posted to TikTok on Sunday
People were seen packing sidewalks on the Las Vegas Strip in videos posted to TikTok this weekend ahead of Nevada easing capacity restrictions on Monday
People were seen walking near the Flamingo casino on the Las Vegas Strip in a video posted to TikTok on Sunday
A small crowd is seen gathered outside watching the Bellagio fountains in videos posted to Instagram on Sunday
Videos posted to Instagram show crowds gathered to watch the Bellagio fountains as cars backed Las Vegas Boulevard this weekend
Yolando Hagwood, 54, told the outlet he was visiting Las Vegas for the first time since August 2019 and was wearing two masks.
'I think most businesses are trying to adhere and still let people have a good time,' Hagwood said.
'You can't tackle people. You're gonna see people with no masks. You're gonna see people not social distancing. But you just try to do your part.'
Beginning March 3, casinos owned by MGM Resorts resumed round-the-clock operations, Travel + Leisure reported.
People danced in the streets of New Orleans on Saturday night as live music returned for the first time since Covid restrictions were enforced
Steven Randall performed with his youth group Beats of Chapo on Bourbon Street which was bustling after crowds returned to the Louisiana city
There were scenes of partying, revelry and joy as friends met up and partied for the first time in the city since Covid restrictions were eased
The Rug Cutters Quartet performs at Favela Chic on Frenchman Street as people enjoyed live music in the city famed for its nightlife
Women in matching pink cowboy hats and feather boas roamed the streets of New Orleans on a night of music, dancing and partying
Hordes of people took to the streets to dance and cheer as the city known for its live music scene was revived on Saturday
Performers played behind protective screens to crowds of music lovers who had waited a year for live concerts
A woman handles an albino Burmese python on Bourbon street on a night of revelry and partying in Louisiana
The Catahoula Music Company performs behind protective plexiglass at Maison Bourbon on Saturday night
Those casinos include the Mandalay Bay, Park MGM and The Mirage resorts - which had closed for a few days in the middle of each week during the pandemic because of decreased business, the magazine reported.
Meanwhile in New Orleans, Covid restrictions were also relaxed, as live music returned to the bars and streets of the Louisiana city.
People danced in the street on Saturday night as performers played behind screens to crowds of music lovers who had waited a year for live concerts.
There have been a total of 29,438,007 coronavirus cases in the United States with 534,880 deaths.
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