The Improvements of Las Vegas During Covid-19
By: Melissa Tran
As the pandemic marks an entire year of Covid-19, Las Vegas has survived and remained one of the most famous tourist cities to visit. The pandemic caused Las Vegas to shut down in March 2020 and the city was described to be a ghost town. However, according to FOX 5, Las Vegas has become even stronger and better in many aspects compared to last year.
While I was walking down the streets of Vegas this April, 1 in every 5 people did not wear a mask and that was deemed socially acceptable until tourists entered a building or casino. People were close, bumping shoulders with strangers, and pools were open with no masks required. Open mic nights were specifically on Saturday’s. Music, shows and overall entertainment still are featured all around this day. Gambling have returned with many people closer than 6 feet. With the return of gambling, Las Vegas’s limitations primarily focus on just wearing masks. Although the energy here returns, after Saturday night the energy and people dramatically decreases.
As I travelled here during the weekend, I found the culture to be overwhelming. It was a sudden change from staying home to seeing people everywhere I went. People were filled with youthful energy, excitement and searching for a thrill at night with their friends. I got to visit a few casinos and admire the art that they created for tourists. Flowers, murals and waterfalls were showcased at the casino Bellagio, creating a scenery for our pictures to take. Boat rides at Hotel Paris were offered. It consisted of a musician to accompany the short, romantic ride of the lake they created in the casino.
Most buffets were still closed except the Garden Buffet. There was an hour long line due to the high demand and unlimited fresh buffet food serving. Although it was the only buffet open, it did not meet my expectations as Las Vegas is known for other famous buffets that have higher quality food.
Overall, I found that Sunday did not beat Saturday’s energy as many people visited that day out of the entire week. Exclusive parties and lounge areas were open for those who paid. Alcohol was an everyday activity for many adults here enjoying their time. I am glad I got to experience Las Vegas the day that it peaks.
The food scene in Las Vegas is now growing a year after the pandemic occurred. A new restaurant from Chef James Trees has been fully developed and has been a notable spot post pandemic. Covid-19 had stunted his business in flourishing the previous year and now that things are reopening, the restaurant is coming to life! As people are becoming more comfortable with traveling to Vegas, Trees makes a point on how many have not gone to a restaurant in a year. His restaurant named As Solito Posto is located in Casino Center Blvd of Las Vegas. His new restaurant offers a fresh take on Italian favorites and refined cocktails. Italian wines will also dominate the cellar at the restaurant.
As the pandemic is slowly coming to an end and allowing for Vegas to return back to normality, many changes have already been made. According to CNN, new casino resorts, innovative restaurants and an underground tunnel are in the process of being built. New casinos are constantly being built as the years go by. Elon Musk, who is in charge of building Vegas’s underground transportation system, tells us that it will open soon. Like many other tourist spots, Vegas had their own struggles during the first year of the pandemic.
Recent figures from the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority indicate that visitor volume has dropped nearly 54% since February 2020…” (CNN 2021).
However, the city known as Paradise has opened and become ready for more visitors now that vaccines are out, and making travels safer, as a result guidelines slowly become less harsh.
As summer rolls around, vaccines will be expected to reach nearly all adults to young adults, who are the main tourists Vegas attracts. The way things are progressing, it will only improve from here. There will be even more positive outcomes for Vegas and their entire working industry. People can expect more freedom when visiting, entertainment to fully return, more restaurants to open and finally, normal life to return.