California and Nevada Green Light Full Reopening in June

California and Nevada are both targeting June as the timeline to fully get back to business, including meetings and conventions.

"This is a great opportunity to plan in the year for the year and look ahead for the fall," said Michael Dominguez, ALHI President & CEO. "Our member properties in both markets are eager to welcome you back."

What's happening in Las Vegas and Nevada

Nevada's Gov. Steve Sisolak announced April 13 that the statewide goal is for every county to be able to fully reopen at 100 percent capacity by June 1. He added that the mask mandate will stay in place, but statewide social distancing requirements will be dropped by May 1, the same day local (county) health officials take control of COVID containment efforts.

That means it will be up to the decision makers in Clark County to give the actual go-ahead to move to 100 percent for Las Vegas. The same applies to Washoe County, where Reno is located.

In advance of the May 1 target date, Clark County announced Tuesday that its capacity limits will be contingent on vaccination rates. Events with fewer than 20,000 attendees will be allowed to take place at 80 percent capacity and 3-foot social distancing if 50 percent of eligible Clark County residents have initiated vaccination, with incremental increases allowed at higher vaccination rates.

Events can be approved to operate at 100 percent capacity with no social distancing if 50 percent of the eligible population has at least one vaccination dose and the event requires proof of vaccination or a negative PCR test 24 to 48 hours prior to the event, or if more than 60 percent of the county residents have completed vaccination. The current vaccination rate is at about 42 percent.

"Southern Nevada's tourism industry took another important step forward with Governor Sisolak's confidence Las Vegas can safely allow full occupancy at all venues starting June 1. The wide availability and rapid administration of vaccines will allow our valued events industry to reconvene with confidence and in its entirety. Las Vegas will continue providing the gold standard for health, wellness and safety precautions for the benefit of its workforce, the community and our visitors," said Steve Hill, President & CEO of Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority.

Meeting planners can check the state's guidelines for safe gatherings here or refer to Las Vegas Means business summary.

There is already a June convention slated to kick off the opening of the Las Vegas Convention Center's new 1.4 million square feet of space at its new West Hall, with the World of Concrete's meeting.

MGM Resorts is ready with itsConvene with Confidence program, highlighting partnerships with Clear, Cue and Impact. Clear allows for vaccine tracking, while MGM Resorts also has one of the few PCR molecular tests available with results in about 15 minutes. The testing and Healthpass portions of Convene with Confidence are optional for groups, but many groups have been inquiring about its availability, according to MGM Resorts.

What's happening in California?

1. Equitable vaccine availability: If vaccine supply is sufficient for Californians 16 years or older who wish to be inoculated.
2. Consistently low burden of disease: Hospitalizations are stable and low, and specifically, hospitalizations among fully vaccinated individuals are low.

Criteria for reopening, including for meetings and conventions, are outlined in the Beyond the Blueprint for a Safer Economy from the California Department of Public Health, released April 6.

According to the blueprint, beginning June 15, meetings and conventions of up to 5,000 people can take place without restrictions. Events larger than 5,000 may require testing, or vaccination status be verified for all attendees until October 1. The colored tier system of restrictions will no longer apply after June 15. Vaccinations will be required for convention attendees coming from international destinations.

More details can be found in the memo issued by the California Department of Public Health

Los Angeles approves meetings up to 300 effective immediately

As with Nevada, counties in California can set their own timelines. Los Angeles announced April 15 that effective immediately, professional meetings for groups of under 300 can resume.

The Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board is implementing an initiative powered by Sharecare, a digital health company, and Forbes Travel Guide, to verify the health security of all hotels with 50 or more rooms in the City of Los Angeles. The city is the first Sharecare Verified destination in the U.S.