9 ways Las Vegas is different in the age of COVID-19
As the travel industry reopens following COVID-19 shutdowns, TPG suggests that you talk to your doctor, follow health officials' guidance and research local travel restrictions before booking that next trip. We will be here to help you prepare, whether it is next month or next year.
Viva Las Vegas. I've been to Sin City many times, but I've never seen it like it is right now in the age of coronavirus. It's a brave new world of social distancing, masks, plexiglass, closed casinos, thinned crowds and even hand-washing stations at some entrances on the Las Vegas Strip. Unfortunately one thing hasn't changed. Resort fees are still being billed, despite reduced services at many resorts.For more TPG news delivered each morning to your inbox, sign up for our daily newsletter.Here are nine ways Las Vegas is different.
[table-of-contents /]
Smaller crowds
I've never seen Las Vegas as empty as it was in August. That said, it can still get crowded in spots where people tend to congregate (think pedestrian crossing bridges). I saw plenty of crowding around buskers and with groups of friends. In general, though, it was refreshing to see the city with so few people.
The one area that was a glaring difference was at the airport. Getting off the plane, it was crowded in the terminal and the people movers at the airport were full. The baggage claim area was a nightmare of crowds and it was even worse at the area where you go to get your Uber or Lyft. Not only was there not enough social distancing, the area is a pedestrian danger zone. My Uber driver told me several people have been hit trying to cross traffic to get their ride share. It was the place where I felt most in danger of being exposed to coronavirus.
Related: Vegas on opening weekend
Masks required
The state of Nevada requires visitors to wear masks in public places, such as casinos, restaurants and other common spaces. Overall, I would say compliance was running at 95% which impressed me. Unfortunately, not everyone knows how to wear a mask with many people wearing masks below the nose or loudly chatting on cell phones with the mask pulled down to the chin. I didn't see anyone yelled at for not wearing masks though I did see workers ask a few folks entering a couple of the casinos to put on a mask.
Social distancing
Social distancing signage was nearly everywhere I went (see gallery below). Unfortunately, the signs weren't always successful at directing behavior. I will say most of the time in the city, I felt I could safely get away from crowds of people even in the casinos. I felt especially safe at my hotel, the Hilton Grand Vacations Elara, where there was plenty of space, signs and hand sanitizer. It was far enough off the strip that I felt safe; plus there is no casino.
Sanitizer everywhere
Sometimes it felt like there were more hand sanitizers than people in Las Vegas! You can check out the gallery below but there was no shortage of opportunities to get free hand sanitizer squirts (though why -- oh why -- would you put in a sanitizer machine with a button you have to touch!?).
Hand washing stations!
Never did I ever expect to see hand-washing stations at the entrances to casinos. Sure enough, there they were front and center at the Bellagio. I'm actually incredibly impressed to how well Bellagio handled the pandemic. That was the casino where I saw the most attention to safety protocols including the use of plexiglass screens at poker tables and dealers wearing full face masks.
Related: Vegas goes dark for 30 days
Much is still closed
There are lots of venues and casinos that are shut down. Planet Hollywood is shuttered. It's website says "For the well-being of our team members and guests we have temporarily closed."
Caesers Entertainment owns Planet Hollywood. Several of its other properties are also closed including the Cromwell, Rio Las Vegas, and the LINQ isn't taking hotel reservations. MGM Entertainment's Park MGM -- including the NoMad hotel -- is also closed.
The Mirage announced on Aug. 10 it would reopen on Aug. 27.
Some poker rooms remain shut, and not all gambling rooms are available.
Related: All you need to know about Las Vegas loyalty programs
All the malls are open, but some stores and attractions are still shuttered. Note that there is very limited capacity at some shops so the popular designer boutiques including Balenciaga, Dior, Louis Vuitton, and Gucci have lines to get in.
The Mob Museum and The Neon Museum have reopened. The number of visitors is limited, and would-be tourists are advised to buy timed tickets in advance.
Most restaurants are open again with limited hours and capacity. Same deal for most resort pools. Pools are supposed to adhere to social distancing guidelines, but I didn't see that enforced at all.
Lax enforcement
Enforcement was not a thing that I really saw while I was in Las Vegas. Aside from a lot of signs admonishing folks, I saw few workers enforcing any mask-wearing, social distancing or doing crowd control. The use of plexiglass shields was rare. Most dealers and cocktail workers were wearing masks, but very few were wearing face shields or gloves.
Related: Getting to Vegas on points and miles
Most nightclubs and parties are closed down
The Nevada governor ordered nightclubs and most daytime clubs shut down. That means popular venues like Omnia and Marquee Las Vegas are closed for now.
There is some good news for 'club kids.' Day clubs are offering socially distanced and adults-only pool parties. Crowds are much smaller (though maybe not small enough), and you'll need reservations and a table. Some of those pool parties are even during nighttime hours.
Most are featuring music by local resident DJs. You aren't likely to see big-name DJs until COVID-19 restrictions are lifted.
No shows
One of the top things to do in Las Vegas isn't available at the moment. All shows were closed back in March, and there's no firm dates on when they will resume. Some restaurant bars had reopened and a few venues were even selling tickets again, but a resurgence of cases led to a second shutdown in July.
In fact, the loss of revenue from Las Vegas is one of the reasons given for the bankruptcy of Cirque du Soleil.
MGM Resorts International says concerts and other entertainment likely won't return in August. Others have suggested they won't return this year.
Gatherings of 50 or more people are not allowed under current Nevada COVID-19 restrictions.
Bottom line
Vegas was fascinating to see during COVID-19, but I didn't really feel that safe. The crowds at McCarran International Airport (LAS) at baggage claim and especially in the line for Uber freaked me out. I personally wouldn't go back until there is a vaccine, and I certainly wouldn't spend more than the 10 minutes I did at each casino, even though I think they are doing what the can to keep the virus at bay.
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Delta SkyClub access when flying Delta
- Annual companion ticket for travel on Delta (upon renewal)
- Ability to earn MQDs through spending
- Various statement credits for eligible purchases
Cons
- Steep annual fee of $650
- Other Delta cobranded cards offer superior earning categories
- Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 or more in purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership and an additional 25,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $3,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months, starting from the date that your account is opened. Offer Ends 04/01/2026.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members receive 15 Visits per Medallion® Year to the Delta Sky Club® when flying Delta and can unlock an unlimited number of Visits after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Plus, you’ll receive four One-Time Guest Passes each Medallion Year so you can share the experience with family and friends when traveling Delta together.
- Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. and select international locations (as set forth on the Centurion Lounge Website), Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. (see the Centurion Lounge Website for more information on Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge availability), and Escape Lounges when flying on a Delta flight booked with the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card. § To access Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 90 minutes of their departing flight (including layovers). To access The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 3 hours of their departing flight. Effective July 8, 2026, during a layover, Card Members must arrive within 5 hours of the connecting flight.
- Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card with MQD Boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year.
- Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.
- $240 Resy Credit: When you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $20 each month in statement credits. Enrollment required.
- $120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- With your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, receive upgrade priority over others with the same Medallion tier, product and fare experience purchased, and Million Miler milestone when you fly with Delta.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
- $650 Annual Fee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees