Despite concerns of the rapid spread of the omicron strain of COVID-19, Las Vegas is not canceling or dialing back plans for its large New Year’s Eve events.
The city is expected to have more than 300,000 people in town for the New Year’s Eve festivities, including fireworks on the Las Vegas Strip that were canceled last year because of a coronavirus outbreak.
There will also be a multi-stage outdoor music concert under a canopy light show at a pedestrian mall in downtown Las Vegas called the Fremont Street Experience.
“If you’re sick, stay at home. If you’re indoors, wear a mask,” said Michael Naft, a Clark County commissioner.
“We encourage everyone to look out for one another, take personal responsibility and proactively take actions to limit the spread of COVID-19,” Naft said.
According to data from Johns Hopkins University, as a result of a coronavirus wave driven largely by the highly contagious omicron variant, the number of infections in the U.S. reached the highest level in history, with over 265,000 cases each day on average. The prior record was 250,000 cases per day in January.
Regional health officials in Las Vegas reported 2,201 new coronavirus infections on Wednesday, the most in a single day since previous January 11, and 15 new deaths. The number of patients hospitalized in Clark County with confirmed or suspected cases of COVID-19 has increased, as has the number of new cases and deaths.
According to the Las Vegas Review-Journal, the county’s 14-day test positivity rate, which represents the percentage of people who were tested for COVID-19 and found to be positive, reached 10.1 percent. Relaxing mitigating measures by 5% or less is the World Health Organization’s target.
According to the Southern Nevada Health District, 68.2% of Las Vegas people have had at least one COVID-19 vaccination shot, and 55.8% are fully vaccinated.
After the Nevada mask mandate and restrictions on crowd sizes were enacted in March 2020, Goodman wore a mask Wednesday to let the media know that the biggest events will be outside.
“We are saying people (can) feel comfortable to be mask-free,” the mayor said. “But individually, if you have an issue or you’re concerned, wear your mask. It’s a question of respect.”
Even though fireworks were postponed last year, thousands of people gathered on the casino-lined Las Vegas Boulevard to welcome in the new year.
Around 1,200 police officers will be allocated to the Las Vegas Boulevard region, where highways will be restricted and hotels will employ thousands of security guards, according to Clark County Undersheriff Christopher Darcy. The Fremont Street sector will be patrolled by several hundred officers.
Anyone under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian in both locations.
“We encourage folks to take the proper precautions — be that vaccinations or the wearing of face coverings — and to do all the things you can do to protect yourself,” the police official said.”
“We encourage revelers to take the proper health and safety precautions before they arrive and while they are in Las Vegas, follow the indoor mask mandate and seek medical care if they are feeling unwell,” the statement said.
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