LAS VEGAS—Wynn Resorts has released a health and safety plan the company will put in place as its resorts here—Wynn Las Vegas and Encore Las Vegas—prepare to reopen following the temporary closures due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The plan was developed in consultation with three leading public health medical professionals and fellows of Georgetown and Johns Hopkins Universities.
“At Wynn Resorts, we care deeply about our family of employees and our communities. When we decided to be the first to close in Nevada, before the state required the closure of casino resorts, we did it with a heavy heart but knew it was in the best interest of our employees and community,” said CEO Matt Maddox. “We also understood that asking 15,000 employees to stay home during the pandemic is challenging. We chose to pay all our full-time and part-time employees for 60 days through May 15, including an estimate for tips they could earn during the closure. It is costing us approximately $3 million per day or $180 million for two months.”
He continued, “This plan presents what we will do to keep our guests, employees and our community safe. It relies on the best available science on sanitization methods in consultation with professional infectious disease experts from the best academic institutions in the country. We will continue to refine and update the plan as our experts provide us more advice. Our procedures are extensive and not applicable to all resorts in our industry.”
The following procedures and protocols will be in place for guest and employee safety:
- Thermal Cameras: Points of entry will be limited to allow the security team to conduct noninvasive temperature checks utilizing thermal cameras. Anyone displaying a temperature more than 100 degrees will be taken to a private area for a secondary temporal temperature screening. Employees or guests confirmed to have a temperature more than 100 degrees will not be allowed entry to the property and will be directed toward appropriate medical care.
- Physical Distancing: Guests will be advised to practice physical distancing by standing at least six feet away from other groups of people not traveling with them while standing in lines, using elevators or moving around the property. Restaurant tables, slot machines and other physical layouts will be arranged to ensure appropriate distancing. Employees will be reminded not to touch their faces and to practice physical distancing by standing at least six feet away from guests and other employees whenever possible. All resort outlets will comply with, or exceed, local or state mandated occupancy limits.
- Hand Sanitizer: Hand sanitizer dispensers, touchless whenever possible, will be placed at key guest and employee entrances and contact areas such as driveways, reception areas, hotel lobbies, the casino floor, restaurant entrances, meeting and convention spaces, elevator landings, pools, salons and exercise areas. Hand lotion will be provided in guestrooms and throughout the back of house (in touchless dispensers) for employees.
- Front-of-House Signage: There will be health and hygiene reminders throughout the property including the proper way to wear, handle and dispose of masks. Table game electronic signs will also be used for messaging and communication.
- Back-of-House Signage: Signage will be posted throughout the property reminding employees of the proper way to wear, handle and dispose masks, use gloves (in positions deemed appropriate by medical experts), wash hands, sneeze and to avoid touching their faces.
- Employee & Guest Health Concerns: Employees have been given clear instructions on how to respond swiftly and report all presumed cases of COVID-19 on property to the Southern Nevada Health District (SNHD). They will be ready to provide support to guests. Employees are instructed to stay home if they do not feel well and are instructed to contact a manager if they notice a coworker or guest with a cough, shortness of breath or other known symptoms of COVID-19. Employees and guests who are exhibiting any of the symptoms of COVID-19 while at the property will be instructed to immediately notify their manager (employees) or hotel security (guests).
All Wynn Resorts employees will adhere to the following guidelines:
- Hand Washing: Correct hygiene and frequent handwashing with soap is vital to help combat the spread of virus. All Wynn employees have been instructed to wash their hands, or use sanitizer when a sink is not available, every 60 minutes (for 20 seconds) and after any of the following activities: using the restroom, sneezing, touching the face, blowing the nose, cleaning, sweeping, mopping, smoking, eating, drinking, entering and leaving the gaming floor, going on break and before or after starting a shift.
- COVID-19 Training: All employees will receive training on COVID-19 safety and sanitation protocols with more comprehensive training for teams with frequent guest contact including housekeeping, F&B, public area department, hotel operations and security.
- Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Appropriate PPE will be worn by all employees based on their role and responsibilities, and in adherence to state or local regulations and guidance. Training on how to properly use and dispose of all PPE will be mandatory. Employees entering the resort will be provided a mask and required to wear it while on property. Gloves will be provided to employees whose responsibilities require them as determined by medical experts including housekeeping and public area attendants, as well as security officers in direct contact with guests.
- Daily Pre-Shift & Timekeeping: Employee pre-shift meetings will be conducted virtually or in areas that allow for appropriate physical distancing. Larger departments will stagger employee arrival times to minimize traffic volume in back-of-house corridors and service elevators. Hand sanitizer will be available at each time clock location, and employees will be required to sanitize their hands after clocking in. The management team will ensure constant communication and proper PPE and sanitation procedures are followed and updated per the latest expert guidance.