Nevada Mandates Use of Face Coverings Post-Highest Single Day Spike of COVID-19

Effective 11:59 p.m. on Thursday, June 25, citizens in Nevada are required to wear face masks and coverings in public. Nevada governor Steve Sisolak has declared that a new directive mandating the masks has been signed. This memo was an agenda kept in mind to curb the transmission of coronavirus through public channels.

The order, however, does not apply to displaced entities, children below 9 years of age, and detainees. People with breathing complications while wearing a mask or any other form of disability that prohibits wearing one are exempt as well. Sisolak also made it clear that contemplating arrests or fines out of this is not the intention, despite the element of compulsion attached to it. The state would be using the Occupational Health and Safety Administration, local licensing agencies and regulating authorities to assist with adherence.

“The last thing I want is for monetary fines or criminal penalties to be imposed on Nevadans, which is why I strongly encourage everyone to follow this directive,”

Nevada Governer Steve Sisolak

Pausing The Next Phase

Nevada will not be moving into Phase 3 of unlock as simplified by the governor. This is on hold until the percentage of positive COVID-19 cases shows a downward trajectory and steadies out eventually. The state has presently seen a consecutive 4-week spike in new daily cases. On Tuesday, the state saw its highest single-day climb with 462 newly reported coronavirus cases. The governor also highlighted the directive has been dictated by advice from health officials as a medical obligation. Consequently, this should not be looked into as being politically influenced.

Caesars’ Entertainment had previously declared that it would be mandating face coverings for all visitors as well as employees. This would be applied to properties it owns in other states including Louisiana, Mississippi, Iowa, Missouri, Nevada and Indiana. The updated policy would also impact their tribal properties in Arizona, California, and North Carolina.

MGM Resorts CEO Bill Hornbuckle said they supported the governor’s directive, preceding the earlier announcement.

At MGM Resorts, we have put health and safety at the center of all we do, and this will be a modification of protections that make up our multi-layered Seven-Point Safety Plan

MGM CEO Bill Hornbuckle