MGM’s seven steps; Culinary throws tantrum

Add MGM Resorts International to the roster of Las Vegas companies announcing reopening protocols. (Earth to Caesars Entertainment, come in Caesars … ) The company calls it a “comprehensive, multi-layered approach resulting from months of consultations and guidance from public health experts.” CEO Bill Hornbuckle warns that MGM resorts won’t look they way they once did for quite some time but promises that it’s all for the best. 

• “Employees are currently and will continue to go through temperature checks before entering a property. Employees are also asked to answer a series of screening questions about any current symptoms and recent exposure to COVID-19-infected individuals.” Guests are ‘asked’ to follow a similar protocol and stay home if sick. If not, medical personnel will be on call.
• Masks will be required of all employees. Food handlers and cleaning staff will wear gloves (as will ones “touching soiled linens” or large volumes of cash. Guests are “strongly encourage[d]” to wear masks and minimize the amount of eating they do on the casino floor.
• Six feet of social distancing is to observed whenever practical. When not, “reasonable mitigating protocols will be implemented, such as plexiglass barriers or face shields for our employees.”
• “As scientific information becomes available about the virus … we will continue to review and adjust the operation of our HVAC systems”
• “In the unfortunate event a guest or employee tests positive for the virus, we will activate incident response protocols to ensure the infected individual has access to medical treatment, exposed areas are thoroughly sanitized and, when possible, notify those who may have come in close, prolonged contact with the infected individual.
• “Custom-built handwashing stations, with soap and water, and hand sanitizing stations will be readily available with a visible presence maintained throughout the property … We also have detailed sanitation protocols for our guest rooms.”
• Guests wanting the traditional key card can get them from dispensers in the lobby. But “Guests can confirm their arrival time, add payments and verify their ID all before setting foot in the lobby. Once a room has been assigned and is ready for check-in, guests receive a notification and can access their room number and a digital room key in the mobile app.”

Unlike Wynn Resorts and Las Vegas Sands, MGM puts the onus for safety on its employees, while going relatively easy on guests. Interestingly, none of the ideas it floated it in its premium-player survey (including going
smokeless) is being implemented. Guess the feedback was pretty negative.  Safe distancing—six feet between tables—in restaurants is in, poker rooms are out. Social distancing will be lifted for guests who are traveling together. Most of the other gaming-floor changes are in line with what the rest of the Big Four are doing. You’ll find some differences in your room: “Removal of most collateral-like pens and paper from all rooms and making them only available upon guest request” … forget those freebie souvenirs. There’s even a whole set of sub-protocols for conventions, including the provision of portable air-filtration units for meetings in small rooms.

No more physical itineraries. Everything will be done by e-mail. Salons, spas, golf courses and fitness centers until authorities give the all-clear. Cabaña capacity at the pools will be halved. No in-room bell desk service and expect fewer limos, too. Yes, there will be no buffet, at least not of the self-service variety. (You’ll take your ration of crab legs and like it.) Introduction of digital menus and electronic messaging to let you know when your restaurant table is ready. Oh, and six-foot distancing is supposed to be observed in the kiddie arcades. Good luck with that.

* At the opposite end of the spectrum is Vegas restaurant Nacho Daddy, which requiring employees to sign their health away. As a condition of return to work they must affix their John Hancock to a document holding Nacho Daddy harmless over any ill-health that results from coming back on the job mid-pandemic. One employee who signed it got fired anyway for posting a picture of the offending document on social media. Company President Paul Hymas promises a “revised” version of the corporate get-out-of-jail-free card. We’ll see if it’s any less offensive. (Sample verbiage: “I am aware this document is a release of all liability and a contract enforceable against me in a court of law. I have signed this document of my own free will.”) Remind us not to eat at Nacho Daddy anytime soon … if ever.

* This just in from the aforementioned Caesars Entertainment. When casinos are permitted to reopen, flagship Caesars Palace will go first, along with “one other” (undisclosed). Our guess is it will be the Flamingo but don’t underestimate Harrah’s Las Vegas, as a pitch to the low-rollers. The remaining five casinos will be phased in subsequently. (Tomorrow, Caesars’ just-announced reopening protocol.)

* Having tried to be part of the solution, the Culinary Union is now planning to be part of the problem. Tonight it will stage a motorcade up the Las Vegas Strip “demanding that casinos share their full re-opening plans and implement strong worker and visitor protections.” Unfortunately, that’s not how it’s going to come off and it will be perceived as a noisy nuisance at best, a part of the inane ‘liberate’ movement at worst. Asks Culinary Secretary-Treasurer Geoconda Argüello-Kline, “If casino companies will not release their plans and be transparent before reopening how can customers and workers know they will be safe?” And a car caravan will accomplish this … how? Anyway, the spectacle will kick off at Culinary HQ at 5 p.m. tonight, presuming that law enforcement does not intervene.

* MGM has disclosed its realignment and consolidation of its executive team. Moving up are Anton Nikodemus (Bellagio/Park MGM), Steve Zanella (Aria/Vdara), Chuck Bowling (Mandalay Bay/Delano/Luxor), Mike Neubecker (MGM Grand/New York-New York) and Nik Rytterstrom (The Mirage/Excalibur). Does the twinning of the latter two properties presage a down-market move for the volcano house? Anyway, Borgata‘s Marcus Glover is Out and Melonie Johnson is In, moving over from MGM National Harbor, from whence Jorge Perez will oversee regional properties. Beau Rivage and Gold Strike are consolidated under Travis Lunn while David Tsai presides over the gaggle of properties that are MGM Midwest. The new, less-expensive alignment has a permanent look about it.

Jottings: It’s all systems go for Mohegan Gaming & Entertainment to build its casino resort at Hellenikon, a Hard Rock International appeal of the contract having been thrown out of Greek court … If—and it seems unlikely—Japan awards a casino megaresort to Wakayama, it’s Suncity Group‘s for the taking. The Macanese junket operator is the only bidder for the license, multiple rivals having fallen by the wayside … For Donald Trump it’s the “single biggest investment in Indiana Country.” For one tribal governor it’s “woefully inadequate.” What is it? Federal relief money. (Tribes sought $18 billion, got $8 billion.) Both men could be right … MGM says it is in talks with the NBA and WNBA to hold games at Mandalay Bay. The latter’s solar-powered convention center could be divvied up into 24 spectator-free basketball courts, five with TV-broadcast capability … Border controls are still ‘on’ for Macao, dimming hopes for May revenue. Government officials are still optimistic about a comeback, however.