Trade shows, conventions and other large public gatherings can now operate at 50% capacity in Las Vegas and other Nevada destinations as the state begins to ease restrictions put in place in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Las Vegas Sun reported.

The new rule, which went into effect Monday, still requires meetings organizers who want to exceed 250 attendees to first gain approval from the Nevada Department of Business and Industry by submitting a large-gathering safety plan, according to the newspaper.

Las Vegas is one of the most popular destinations in the U.S. for trade shows, but since the pandemic began a host of association events scheduled to be held in the city have moved online. ASAE canceled its 2020 annual meeting in Las Vegas and instead held a virtual meeting. The Consumer Technology Association also was forced to hold its popular CES trade show online after it brought roughly 175,000-180,000 people to Vegas in 2018 and 2019.

As a tourist destination, Nevada has been hit particularly hard by the pandemic, with the state's jobless rate at one point approaching 30%, the Sun reported. Gov. Steve Sisolak said in a Twitter post that the new size limits are part of the state's recovery plan, which will remain flexible in the months ahead.

Already one large trade show has announced plans to move forward as an in-person event as a result of the easing of restrictions. The World of Concrete show, produced by Informa Markets, is scheduled to happen June 8-10 at the Las Vegas Convention Center, according to a news release. Last year's show, which was held in February before the pandemic took hold, drew roughly 54,000 participants.

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