As the 2021 WSOP Draws Closer, the US Has Spike in Covid-19 Cases

Following a recent rise in COVID-19 cases around the country, the US government announced that it plans to maintain its European travel restriction. The news comes at a time when WSOP prepares to host its live gaming festival at the Rio in Las Vegas in September.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the US is witnessing a rise in 50,000 Covid-19 cases daily over the previous week, a significant increase over the figures recorded over the 4th of July weekend and the most since May. (CDC).

The new Delta variation, considered more infectious and possibly fatal than the previous COVID-19 strains, is the main reason behind the recent spike in COVID-19 cases in the United States and worldwide.

The US government is stepping up its vaccination efforts to ensure that every citizen gets the vaccine. However, there is a lot of misinformation among Americans regarding the vaccine, which constitutes a significant challenge.

WSOP is in no mood to change the date

The extension of the travel ban to Europe by the US government is terrible news for European players hoping to compete in the 2021 Poker World Series. The prohibition, however, does not prevent them from entering the United States. Europeans may still enter the country if they first traveled to a non-restricted country and stayed for two weeks (or 14 days).

The WSOP live festival held back in 2019 drew a large number of players from across the world. The Main Event, in particular, drew 8,569 entrants, with 80% of those coming from non-restricted nations. However, three players at the final table were from countries now subject to the US visa restriction.

COVID-19 instances are on the rise in Nevada, the central event region. It is one of the top ten states with the most cases per 100,000 people in the last seven days. Casinos in Nevada and Las Vegas have reinstated the requirement that all guests wear face masks, regardless of immunization status.

The WSOP, on the other hand, is going ahead with its schedule for the upcoming festival. On WSOP.com, players from Nevada, Delaware, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania can participate online. The WSOP is also aggressively recruiting dealers and floor crew for the live series, which begins in just two months.