Las Vegas gaming and resort properties will partner with University Medical Center (UMC), the Culinary Health Fund and the Las Vegas Convention Center to provide COVID-19 testing for gaming employees prior to their return to work.
The testing, part of a broad collaborative plan created by business and community leaders, will be conducted at the Las Vegas Convention Center as properties re-open following the direction of State officials.
“The ability to safely reopen our properties has been our singular focus over the past several weeks,” said Bill Hornbuckle, Acting CEO and President of MGM Resorts International. “This testing partnership will allow us to provide our employees and guests peace of mind that we are taking the greatest possible precautions to keep them safe.”
In addition to MGM properties, Caesars and Boyd properties will participate in the COVID-19 employee testing plan. UMC and the Culinary Health Fund will work together to collect up to 4,000 samples per day for testing.
UMC CEO Mason VanHouweling noted his facility has significantly increased its testing capacity as a result of the efforts of the Governor’s COVID-19 Response, Relief and Recovery Task Force, led by longtime gaming industry leader Jim Murren.
Keith Smith, President and CEO of Boyd Gaming, stated: “As we prepare to reopen our southern Nevada properties, the health and safety of our customers, our team members and our communities is our utmost priority.
“Through this expansion of our partnership with UMC, we can do our part to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 in our community, and demonstrate our commitment to offering a safe and entertaining environment for everyone.”
Caesars CEO Jack Rodio also went on record in welcoming the initiative, saying: “Caesars appreciates the gaming industry and union partnership with UMC to test our employees for COVID-19. All Caesars employees would complete a pre-screenIng questionnaire and the results would determine the need for a COVID-19 test before returning to work.”
Testing is expected to begin May 21 and will continue as employees are called back to work. Employees called back to work will schedule an appointment for their test, with results confirmed within 48 hours of testing. Positive results will be provided to the employee and forwarded to the Southern Nevada Health District for contact tracing.
