Nevada Brothel to Reopen With COVID-19 Testing for Sex Workers

WELLS, Nev.—The operator of Bella’s Hacienda Ranch, a legal brothel in Northern Nevada, today announced plans her business will adopt once Gov. Steve Sisolak gives the green light to reopen. Madam Bella told AVN that her plan involves several key procedural changes, including a plan to include COVID-19 testing as part of the weekly sex worker testing done at the bordello, which already includes mandatory tests for STIs. Madam Bella also will require customers to wear face coverings and everyone entering the establishment will be tested for elevated temperatures. “It certainly won’t be business as usual at the brothels when we open,” Madam Bella said. “I’m announcing procedures for reopening in order to be proactive and transparent, so that customers know that the courtesans and I have every intention to reopen safely.” At any given time, Bella’s Hacienda typically had 8-14 courtesans on hand, “but that number will shrink to eight.” Hand washing and showers have always been a part of the business’ cleanliness protocol, but Madam Bella will make showers prior to a session mandatory for additional precaution. “Customers will have peace of mind in knowing that the ladies are free of coronavirus,” she said. “Some customers are advancing in age and may be considered at-risk individuals with regard to the virus.” Madam Bella said she figures Sisolak’s green light will commence at Stage 2 of the state’s reopening, which includes the reopening of bars. “I will predict we will reopen on or before May 15,” Madam Bella said. “I believe Sisolak is in a tight spot, but I also believe in cold and flu season and that we’ll have this magic moment where we’ll be done with this.” Since the Nevada governor’s shelter-in-place directive to help stop spread of COVID-18 took effect last month, Bella’s Hacienda has been closed for business, upending the finances of the bordello and leaving its courtesans in limbo. But despite a written policy that shuts out operations of a “prurient sexual nature,” Madam Bella earlier this month went ahead and applied for funding for her business through the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act. And to her delight, Madam Bella said she received a call from the SBA last week notifying her that her application for $70,000 had been approved by the bank. Later that day, however, the program had run out of money for the time being. Madam Bella, however, said she’s all queued up when more federal money is available under additional phases. The bank’s approval signaled a clear victory for Madam Bella’s business, as well as her industry, because a representative from her financial institution initially told her not to bother filling out the application because she would be denied. For Madam Bella, being approved for the $70,000 package — comprised of a 25 percent grant and 75 percent loan — was “just beautiful.” “The Nevada State Bank told me that my business mattered in the community,” Madam Bella said. “Their approval for the loan gives this industry credibility because we are legitimate businesses.”