Daily Mail Online: LONDON, England – 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.
Casinos had operated at a limited capacity of 25 percent from November until February 15, when they were allowed to open with 35 percent 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.
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.
Videos posted to Instagram show crowds gathered to watch the Bellagio fountains as cars backed Las Vegas Boulevard this weekend
“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
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
