LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — Many have wondered what New Year’s Eve will look like in Las Vegas amid the coronavirus pandemic and on Tuesday we got a better idea during a news briefing held by Metro Police and community leaders.
Metro Deputy Chief Kelly McMahill said although there are no fireworks and a smaller crowd of around 200,000 expected on the Las Vegas Strip, police are taking it as seriously as ever and will be enforcing the usual New Year’s Eve rules of no glass, strollers, luggage, carts or large bags allowed on the Strip.
WATCH: Full news conference on New Year’s Eve plans
A smaller section of the Las Vegas Strip will be closed this year — from Mandalay Bay to Spring Mountain Road — starting at 7:30 p.m.
“This is all to make sure people stay safe,” McMahill said.
She, along with other community leaders, added that hospitals are filling up which has raised concerns.
“Our hospitals are nearing critical capacity so while we want everyone to celebrate the new year we’d like you to do it responsibility,” said Clark County Fire Chief John Steinbeck.
Governor Steve Sisolak’s mandates for wearing a mask and social distancing are still in effect.
“Were going to throw the biggest party the world has ever seen next year,” said Clark County Commissioner Michael Naft. “For this year, we want to support our economy. We want to make sure everybody is able to celebrate in their own way but for this year do it with your close group of friends and family.”
While the Southern Nevada Counter Terrorism Center is currently unaware of any specific or credible threats to Southern Nevada, visitors and locals are asked to be vigilant and report anything unusual.
“We’re very aware of what happened in Nashville and while it seems to be one man that acted by himself we never chance anything.” So, we are doing several protective sweeps in the days leading up to New Year’s as well as that night on the Strip and downtown,” McMahill said.
She added 1,200 officers will be assigned to the Strip corridor and another 200 to the downtown area which is the staffing used on a typical New Year’s Eve.
Police are also cracking down on house parties and have dedicated resources to disrupt and prevent we do have enforcement plans for that we have dedicated numberous resources to disrupt and prevent parties… doing a lot of intelligence work to find out where parties mught be plan. our jumbo violent crime initiative is what its called.
The only planned fireworks show in the Las Vegas valley will be at the Plaza Hotel in downtown Las Vegas. The Fremont Street Experience is charging a $25 security fee but there will be no live entertainment and visitors will be required to wear face masks and practice six feet of social distancing.
