Editor’s Note: Coronavirus cases remain in flux. Health officials advise delaying travel if you’re not fully vaccinated and caught up on boosters. This article was last updated on September 23.
If you’re planning to travel to Las Vegas, here’s what you’ll need to know and expect if you want to visit during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The basics
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has lifted its requirement for travelers to test negative for Covid-19 before entering the United States.
Nevada lifted its indoor mask mandate on February 10. There are no restrictions on domestic travel to Las Vegas or the state of Nevada. Citizens of other nations must be fully vaccinated to visit the United States.
What’s on offer?
This is America’s playground for adults, and gambling is the star attraction.
For those not swayed by the allure of slot machines, card games and roulette wheels, Las Vegas has emerged as a major foodie destination. Comedians, singers and other entertainers also set up shop here.
The lights of the Las Vegas Strip at night are a spectacle unto themselves, and nearby desert escapes are outstanding.
Who can go
Fully vaccinated travelers from abroad (people who are not US citizens or lawful permanent residents) are allowed entry into the United States, including Las Vegas.
US citizens or lawful permanent residents do not need vaccines to return to the United States.
What are the restrictions?
Unvaccinated travelers from abroad are no longer allowed to enter the United States, with limited exceptions. Among those exceptions are unvaccinated children younger than 18.
The CDC recommends that people who are not up to date with their vaccines, including boosters, delay travel.
While the CDC still recommends everyone 2 and older wear a well-fitting mask on public transportation, masks are currently not required on airplanes, trains and other means of public transit.
What’s the Covid situation?
As of September 19, there have been almost 578,000 confirmed cases, about 38,300 probable cases and nearly 9,000 deaths in Clark County, Nevada, since the start of the pandemic. Las Vegas is the largest city in Clark County, which has about 2.67 million residents and accounts for about 73% of the state’s total population.
As of September 19, there was a seven-day average test positivity rate of 9.5%. That’s down from 17.7% on August 19 and well below a peak of 42.9% on January 9 at the top of the Omicron surge.
These figures are updated by the Southern Nevada Health District each Wednesday. Click on the link to get more detailed statistics and breakdowns.
What can visitors expect?
The big draws in Vegas – casinos, shows, hotels and restaurants – are open. The state of Nevada lifted its indoor mask mandate on February 10.
Gov. Steve Sisolak said the state was better equipped to fight the pandemic, citing at-home testing kits and the decrease in overall cases and hospitalizations in the state.
You can check hotel websites before you go to see their Covid safety measures.
You’re no longer required wear a mask over your nose and mouth in indoor areas of public transportation (including airplanes, buses, trains, and other forms of public transportation) and indoors in US transportation hubs.
If you need to get a Covid-19 test while you are visiting Las Vegas, click here for locations.
Resources
More coverage
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Top image: Roulette wheel (Shutterstock)
CNN’s Forrest Brown, Michelle Watson and Marnie Hunter contributed to this report.
