Wynn will lend Encore Las Vegas to Nevada’s University Medical Center as a vaccination center against Covid-19 with inoculations starting on Monday.
Encore Las Vegas Opens as Vaccination Center on Monday
The Encore Las Vegas owned by Wynn will become a temporary Covid-19 vaccination center with the casino landing sufficient space to carry out inoculations after Gov. Steve Sisolak that casino workers will be among the first to vaccinate in Nevada in a bid to restore the competitiveness in the state and shield workers on the first lines from infection as well as reduce strain on the healthcare system.
Encore at Wynn Las Vegas will essentially house a vaccination distribution center starting on Monday next week under the guidance of Southern Nevada’s University Medical Center which will be in charge of the venue’s operation. Presently, Encore is not operational through the midweek because of a slowdown in tourism and visitation numbers in general.
Las Vegas has seen only 20 million visitors in 2020 compared to 41 million from a year before. With the property’s convention space not in use, Wynn has lent it to medical authorities.
Wynn CEO Matt Maddox expressed his confidence that the venue would make a good place for helping with the distribution of vaccines quickly and efficiently throughout the Las Vegas Valley. Commenting further on this development, Maddox had this to say:
“Our partnership with UMC began with our extensive onsite employee testing program. Based upon the success of that program with UMC, we look forward to hosting this critical step in our state’s economic and health recovery.”
-Wynn CEO Matt Maddox
The vaccination center though will focus on senior citizens, healthcare workers, and other first responders as defined by Nevada’s inoculation guidelines. Appointments will have to be made beforehand.
The Encore will also replace the UMC’s existing Covid-19 vaccination facility at Delta Point Building, as the casino’s facilities offer more room and easier access without causing congestion or too much foot traffic in specific areas.
Vaccination has already begun in Nevada at Cashman Center with healthcare workers among the first to take the jab.