Casino operator Las Vegas Sands has belatedly joined the list of major operators who have decided to curtail operations on the Las Vegas Strip to reduce further spread of the Covid-19 coronavirus.

On Tuesday, Sands announced that it was closing its Venetian and Palazzo resorts in Las Vegas until at least April 1 “out of an abundance of caution and in line with recent guidance from federal and state governments” regarding limiting further spread of the coronavirus.

Sands president Rob Goldstein said “these are clearly challenging times for our country and our community” and the company’s “most important commitment is the one we have made to the health and safety of our team members and guests. Right now, the best way to fulfill that commitment is by asking people to not come to work.”

Goldstein acknowledged that while the company might “hope this closure is a short-term necessity, we are realistic that it may be a prolonged event.” Goldstein assured staff that the company was committed to paying them during the shutdown, that no layoffs or furloughs were being contemplated and the closure won’t affect employees’ health care eligibility.