MGM, Caesars and Boyd will participate in employee COVID-19 testing plan

By Helen Coster

(Reuters) - The Las Vegas gaming industry will offer COVID-19 tests to employees before they return to work, the Culinary Union announced Tuesday, moving the hard-hit sector a step closer to reopening.

MGM Resorts International <MGM.N>, Caesars Entertainment Corp <CZR.O> and Boyd Gaming Corp <BYD.N> will participate in the testing plan.

Testing is expected to begin on May 21 and will continue as employees return to work. It will be conducted at the Las Vegas Convention Center in partnership with the University Medical Center, a Las Vegas hospital.

Employees who are returning to work should schedule an appointment for their test and then receive results within 48 hours. If an employee tests positive, a health worker will provide the employee with that result and forward it to the Southern Nevada Health District for contact tracing.

(Reporting by Helen Coster in New York; Editing by Sandra Maler and Aurora Ellis)