(Photo courtesy: Fremont Street Experience)
After consulting with Nevada health officials, Fremont Street Experience made the decision on Thursday to restrict access to its hotel guests only for New Year's Eve.
Nevada officials were concerned the casino-mall in Las Vegas would lead to a surge in coronavirus cases. Before Thursday's move, the event was expected to attract up to 14,000 people.
"We are very concerned about that. It's just, frankly, is not a good idea to gather that many people in that confined of a space for that period of time,” said Terry Reynolds, director, Department of Business and Industry.
On Tuesday, members of the state’s coronavirus task force further stated that the Fremont Street Experience’s event violates the current statewide coronavirus guidelines.
The City of Las Vegas had issued the venue a special-use permit and planned to prohibit street performers and control crowds.
Clark County Commission Chair Marilyn Kirkpatrick previously said that she was worried the event could lead to a surge and overwhelm hospitals, which are already nearing capacity.
On Thursday, the entertainment district said that, "guests who previously purchased a $25 Security Fee for the evening will receive a full refund."
Related: Gov. Sisolak: Stay Home For New Year's Eve
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(The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
