LAS VEGAS – On Nov. 22, citing a statewide Covid-19 positivity rate at a record 16.5 percent, Nevada governor Steve Sisolak announced a three-week “statewide pause” that would tighten restrictions on venues, lowering the number of attendees at churches and theaters from a maximum of 250 people back down to just 50 attendees (or 25 percent of capacity, whichever is less), starting Nov. 24.
Noting that “10 percent of all Covid cases recorded in Nevada since the beginning of the pandemic were reported in the last seven days,” Sisolak cited other emergency restrictions on gatherings at casinos, restaurants and private gatherings as well.
“We are on a rapid trajectory that threatens to overwhelm our health care system, our frontline health workers, and your access to care. So it’s time to act,” added Sisolak, who had previously announced that he had been infected with the virus himself on Nov. 13.
The three-week clampdown also reduces maximum occupancy at restaurants, bars and gyms from 50 percent to just 25 percent of normal capacity. Retail stores can still operate at the current 50 percent of capacity. Universal mask requirements, in effect for months, continue.
The new restrictions present another hurdle for Las Vegas productions that have been struggling to inch their way back. A number of productions, including shows presented by Caesars Entertainment and MGM Resorts, began opening this fall after earlier restrictions in Nevada were eased two months ago.
But along with the statewide rules, show producers have been willing to let public health concerns override the “show must go on” ethos. Performances of David Copperfield’s show, one of several shows that returned to the MGM Grand earlier this month, were canceled on Nov. 14, 15 and 16 after a crew member tested positive for Covid-19, according to local reports.
