Las Vegas Mayor Goodman Calls Nevada’s New COVID Restrictions ‘Crushing’ to City
Posted on: November 24, 2020, 07:05h.
Last updated on: November 24, 2020, 10:22h.
Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn Goodman (I) labeled Gov. Steve Sisolak (D) “a dictator” and said his new COVID policies will be “crushing to the city.” Sisolak’s COVID orders cut occupancy at casinos and other businesses.
Goodman made the comments in an interview with the Las Vegas Review-Journal. The report came shortly after Sisolak announced that the state’s gaming properties, restaurants, and bars must lower their occupancy from 50 to 25 percent starting Tuesday for at least three weeks.
He also put tougher capacity restrictions on casino showrooms, and forbids in-person dining at restaurants without patrons first making a reservation.
Obviously, this was crushing to the city,” Goodman said in the interview. “He’s been a dictator with whom we have complied every step of the way. We’ve had no choice.”
Following the three-week “statewide pause,” Goodman predicts tighter restrictions will be issued by the governor. The coronavirus pandemic will not subside until vaccinations are taken by the public, she added.
“He’s tried all these measures, and it is still here,” Goodman said about the virus and the governor’s attempts to control it. She also claims Sisolak failed to consult with the state’s mayors before ordering the new round of restrictions.
In response to Mayor Goodman’s latest criticism, Sisolak said in a statement to the Review-Journal, “When Nevada’s elected leaders speak, their words carry weight — and these difficult times call for our leaders to be unified in protecting the public.”
But Goodman is not alone in raising concerns about the new restrictions issued by the governor.
Economist Warns About Impact on Recovery
On Sunday, Stephen Miller, director of UNLV’s Center for Business and Economic Research, warned in an interview with Casino.org that operating at 25 percent of capacity — rather than the prior 50 percent — will cause “some businesses to close rather than continue to operate.” It could lead to more layoffs and slow the economic recovery, Miller further cautioned.
In response to the governor’s new orders, MGM Resorts International highlighted the capacity limits imposed on casino showrooms. They will be restricted to 25 percent occupancy or 50 guests, compared to the current cap of 250 people.
The latest restrictions come as the casino industry is already stricken with weekday closures and revenue losses from earlier months of closings. This year, MGM Resorts eliminated 18,000 positions nationwide, including 10,000 in Las Vegas. Other Las Vegas casinos and Nevada-based operators have cut jobs, too.
Restaurants See Canceled Reservations
Sisolak also ordered that no more than four people can sit at one restaurant table. Las Vegas restaurants are reporting some customers, who made reservations for five or more, are canceling dinner plans for Thanksgiving.
Would-be diners don’t want to sit at two tables, the Review-Journal reported. The new restrictions were announced on Sunday, just four days before Thanksgiving. That leaves little time for restaurant staff who, in past years, have served many holiday dinners to local residents and tourists alike.
Also, local restaurant owners say that the governor’s new cap of 50 or fewer people for events has led to cancellations of planned holiday parties typically taking place before Christmas, the news report adds.
In her Review-Journal interview, Goodman noted the concerns voiced by small business owners about operating at even half-capacity. Some restaurant and bar owners have warned they cannot remain in business at 25 percent occupancy.
On Monday afternoon, Jace Radke, a spokesman for Mayor Goodman’s office, issued a statement to Casino.org that “The city of Las Vegas continues to follow and enforce the health and safety requirements put in place by the governor and the Southern Nevada Health District.”
The boundaries of the city of Las Vegas do not include the properties located on The Strip. These are part of unincorporated Clark County.
Prior Spats Between Goodman, Sisolak
Goodman and Sisolak have engaged in public disputes before. In April, Goodman appeared on national TV interviews to criticize Silolak’s ongoing shuttering of “nonessential” businesses in the state, starting in March. That included casinos.
Her comments led to her remaining in the national spotlight for several weeks. Nevada residents were divided between those supporting the governor or those who agreed with Goodman and wanted businesses reopened.
Supporters of the governor contend he is trying to balance the economic needs of the state with the public health threat posed by the coronavirus. Casino workers have worried publicly about getting infected with COVID-19.
For instance, Dendra Fountain, who says she works at a hotel-casino, posted on Casino.org, that if Sisolak closes the casinos again, “He would be doing all of us in housekeeping a huge favor…. they are not telling the truth.”
As of Monday, there were 2,339 new cases of coronavirus in Nevada. That brought the state’s total number of cases since the outbreak began to 136,227.
Six more people died from the pandemic in Nevada, state health officials reported on Monday. The total number of deaths is now at 2,023 for the state.
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Last Comments ( 15 )
I hope Vegas and the mayor parishes get the mayor out of office Vegas sucks I would never go to Vegas ever again they're greedy and it's a fake town the mayor should get a recall she should not be mayor she don't care about the public she only cares about the casinos and restaurants and businesses she can care less about you Las Vegas is a horrible town the only want your money
Comrade sisolak is the new hitler. "Do as I say, or you will be severly punished". Mask mandates, lockdowns, fines, jail if people dont comply. Give me a F'N break!! The people are sick & tired of the bs. We are NOT his to rule, we will NOT bow down to him.
Nobody is stopping you sociopaths from actively seeking and dying from COVID. But do not have the right or the FREEDOM to infect others with your daredevil approach to COVID. Just keep sending your money to Trump's latest corrupt defense fund and guaranteed he'll turn your donations into millions for you real soon.
The Mayor of Nevada "Carolyn Goodman" does not care about the people in Nevada, nor does she care about the many lived Nevada families have lost because of the virus. Carolyn Goodman is about the money that is not coming into Vegas, shes unable to be in the lime light that has glorified her in her mayoral office, which she has obstructed. Her motto is not for the people of Vegas she has no regard for those who put her in office.
Shocking how many people believe the Mainstream media (local too)...with false "Hillary is way ahead", "lets shut down the voting servers" or "President Trump is in bed w/Russia". UMC is way under capacity as all hospitals are(proof, Crowdsourcethetruth YT). the mayor is doing her best to save the city from a choreographed fake pandemic........you say "tons of people are sick w/covid" = you have bought the lie!
Goodman is right. I think this guy Sisolak is so ignorant. He never really does anything and this is just holding hands with COMMUNISTS. Let the people free Sisolak. I Don't think there are many people that like him or respect his views. Stop the Covid numbers. They are bogus. The human body gets colds and Flu and Brucella which is what this is. Easy fix with antibiotics. CCP virus has been over forever and after studied it was less harmful than most Flu. Hey, just so you know, the new Flu Vaccine is only a Tracer. Nanobots. It is not about Flu. So many will die! Gates Vaccine and Gates, Fauci, and China did this to us to get us stabbed.
How much more can we take. The Covid is going anywhere until people learn to wash their hands.
Yes it's very hard to close,but the mayor doesn't care about us ,and plus the Coronavirus is very bad and it's killing alot of people.
Since when did it become the government's job to dictate personal health decisions? If this is the role, why does government not shut down all of the economy? Why can elected officials work, travel, and retain their pay? Every single job is essential for the person working the job. Sisolak needs to learn his place, open the economy, and allow free people a CHOICE.
I work in a Strip casino and this so-called "Mayor" does not speak for me.
Why couldn’t he wait another three days? He knows we all hate him so he allowed us to buy our thanksgiving groceries and make our family plans before shutting us down.
... The Mayor showed her “True Colors” on Natl. TV for All-to-See!?! - Case Closed!!!
I THINK THE IS DOING THE BEST FOR THE PEOPLE OF NEVADA. THE MAYOR SHOULD LET HIM DO HIS JOB.
I've always thought that government is to serve the people, not that the people are to serve government. Government has for years taking away our freedoms, increasing taxes to pay government spending uncontrolled, and are controlling our lives where they are making the decisions. It's time that the people control our own lives, make our own decisions, and enjoy freedoms that we still have left. America is not a Fascist country. Look up what Mussolini and his fascist government did to the working class. Use wikipedia for what the fascist's laws were thrust on the people. WE CAN'T LET THAT HAPPEN TO THE UNITED STATES! i've
Missed Goodman I'm part of the community in Las Vegas person like you do not care about us, Mr. Sisolak has to do it he need closed business people's do not understand like you the magnitud of this pandemic, Is incredibly is hard to talking and trying makes sense that we need reduced infeccion, contaminación if they the community not followed the rules, thinking about it before call to Mr. Sisolak Dictator, you are the Dictator nobody knows who elected you to continue on this position, with all respect to deserve better follow the rules like Mr. SISOLAK, he's doing the right thing to save the City. He need your cooperation and convince the people be responsible. Here is not political issues is Healthcare policy following the law and rules. Thank you