MGM Resorts, parent company of Beau Rivage, temporarily closing their Las Vegas casinos
The parent company of Beau Rivage Resort & Casino announced Sunday that all of their Las Vegas properties will close temporarily due to the nationwide spread of new coronavirus, also known as COVID-19.
MGM Resorts International announced in a press release that it would suspend activity in its Las Vegas casinos until further notice beginning Tuesday.
“Despite our commitment to dedicating additional resources for cleaning and promoting good health, while making difficult decisions to close certain aspects of our operations, it is now apparent that this is a public health crisis that requires major collective action if we are to slow its progression,” MGM Chairman and CEO Jim Murren said in the release.
Murren said MGM will reopen their resorts “as soon as it safe to do so.”
Spas, salons and gyms inside the resorts will close Monday, according to MGM’s tweets. The company reported last week that furloughs and layoffs are expected in the coming days.
MGM operates 13 resorts in Las Vegas and more than 30 resorts across the world.
It’s not yet clear if MGM will suspend operations at the Beau Rivage, its only Biloxi property. As of Sunday night, no casinos on the Mississippi Gulf Coast had closed.
The Mississippi Gaming Commission told the Sun Herald on Friday that it is keeping an eye on things as COVID-19 cases multiplied across the U.S. The commission is scheduled to have its next regular meeting at 9 a.m. Thursday in Jackson.
By Sunday afternoon, Mississippi had 10 confirmed cases of COVID-19 statewide, with two of the cases in Pearl River County near the Coast.
The release said the Las Vegas properties will not be taking reservations prior to arrivals before May 1.
More than 10,000 people work at the Coast casinos and 16,400 statewide, according to the Gaming Commission.
Sun Herald reporter Mary Perez contributed to this report.
This story was originally published March 15, 2020 at 11:33 PM.
