MGM to reopen Aria Resort and Casino by July 4

After reopening four of its Las Vegas Strip properties on Thursday, MGM Resorts is planning to add Aria Resort and Casino to that list by July 4.

A spokesperson for MGM Resorts confirmed that President and acting CEO Bill Hornbuckle announced Aria's expected reopening during interviews Thursday, as reported by FOX5.

In an interview after reopening the Bellagio Thursday morning, Hornbuckle said he would describe the demand right now as "pent-up and strong." Thermal checks, face masks and social distancing reminders were spread across the Bellagio, and Hornbuckle said some of the new standards, such as using QR codes and mobile devices to check in, are here to stay, Las Vegas Review-Journal reports.

The company reopened Bellagio, New York-New York, MGM Grand and The Signature. MGM has also announced that it would reopen the Excalibur on June 11. Hornbuckle said MGM will “take a deep breath” before continuing to roll out its remaining four Las Vegas properties — Park MGM, Luxor, The Mirage and Mandalay Bay — “hopefully” on a monthly or biweekly basis into the rest of the summer. The additional reopening announcements come as casino operators and experts have pointed to visitor demand surpassing initial expectations.