MGM Resorts International will begin requiring the COVID-19 vaccine for new employees and current salaried staffers at all of its U.S. properties, officials announced today.
With the delta variant surging in Southern Nevada to bring nearly 1,079 daily cases on a 14-day average, vaccination is the “most effective tool” to counter those trends, CEO Bill Hornbuckle wrote in a letter to employees announcing the mandate.
“As one of the largest and most trusted operators and employers in our industry, MGM Resorts is determined to do our part to curb the spread of the virus and help counter alarming trends in cases, hospitalizations and deaths,” Hornbuckle wrote.
Starting Aug. 30, all new hires must show proof of being fully vaccinated. Current salaried employees not working from home will need to become fully vaccinated by Oct. 15.
MGM has about 57,000 employees nationwide, according to a company spokesman. About 6,000 of them are salaried employees. It is also looking to hire “several thousand” new employees across the country, a spokesperson said.
In a statement that followed Hornbuckle’s letter, the company said it could implement a more sweeping vaccination mandate for its employees in the future. Earlier in the summer, MGM instituted a policy for its 10 Las Vegas properties requiring employees show proof of vaccination or pay for regular tests. Other properties have a similar policy.
“Our goal is to get as many people vaccinated as possible,” the company said. “This is an incredibly complex situation and we’re examining how expanded policies would potentially work and be implemented.”