Las Vegas tourists undeterred by spread of virus inside hotel-casinos
A growing number of positive COVID-19 cases among hospitality workers on the Strip has had little effect on many travelers’ vacation plans.
Its unknown how many Las Vegas casino workers have tested positive, since businesses are not required to disclose that information. Company statements have confirmed that at least 10 Strip casino workers have been infected: one at Bellagio, two at the Flamingo, one at The Linq Hotel, three at Sahara Las Vegas two at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas and one at Caesars Palace.
During the Fourth of July weekend, a handful of tourists said they were aware of positive tests among hotel-casino workers, but the cases had no effect on their travel plans.
Nate Johnson of Illinois said finding out about a COVID-19-positive employee would not alter a planned vacation.
“We would be fine,” he said. “It wouldn’t matter either way. I’d still go.”
Salt Lake City resident Jaylen Torres, 22, and fiance Abisai Garcia, 24, said they weren’t aware that some casino employees had tested positive before they came to Vegas on July 3. They said the information wouldn’t change their travel plans.
“We’re young. So I take COVID-19 seriously, but I just treat it like any other big flu,” Garcia said. “Usually they would sanitize the place afterward, so I’d be fine with that.”
But Nicole and Paul Viazcan of Los Angeles said they would want a casino company to tell them if any employees had tested positive.
“It would be information I would want to know, what casinos are getting hit,” Nicole Viazcan said.
Her husband added that it would help the couple make decisions on where to go on the Strip.
“It might change places we want to eat, but as long as they’re taking safety measures after — like you knew they sanitized and closed it down — then at least we know they’re doing something and not leaving it as-is,” he said.
Contact Bailey Schulz at bschulz@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0233. Follow @bailey_schulz on Twitter.