LAS VEGAS — Las Vegas may be the gambling capital of the world, but health officials in Nevada are leaving nothing to chance.
People visiting Las Vegas -- and selected counties in Nevada -- will be required to wear a mask indoors regardless of vaccination status, KNTV reported.
Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak issued an emergency directive that applies to all “employees, patrons and guests of casinos” in counties with high COVID-19 transmission, according to KVVU. The mandate will take effect Friday at 12:01 a.m. PDT, the television station reported.
Masks are coming back to Las Vegas casinos. The Nevada Gaming Control Board says resorts must make sure “all employees, patrons, and guests properly utilize face coverings” indoors. This follows new CDC guidelines. #8NN
— David Charns (@davidcharns) July 27, 2021
“Businesses and residents in counties with substantial or high transmission are strongly urged to adopt the changes as soon as possible,” a news release from the governor’s office stated.
Sisolak issued the directive in accordance with new recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, according to KVVU.
Based on CDC data, 12 of Nevada’s 17 counties are deemed as having substantial or high transmission. Those include Clark County, where Las Vegas is located, and Carson, Churchill, Douglas, Elko, Esmeralda, Lincoln, Lyon, Mineral, Nye, Washoe and White Pine counties, the governor’s office said.
Eureka, Humboldt and Lander counties are listed as moderate, and Pershing and Storey counties are at low transmission, KNTV reported, citing CDC data.
In a statement, Clark County Commissioner Marilyn Kirkpatrick said the pandemic “continues to be an evolving situation.”
“I am sure that we can put COVID-19 behind us if we all do our part to limit the spread of the virus,” Kilpatrick said. “Get vaccinated if you haven’t done so already, get tested and stay home if you have any symptoms, and be part of our community’s solution to ending the pandemic.”
The state’s mandate does not apply to athletes, performers and musicians, or participants in certain activities or events, the Las Vegas Review-Journal reported.
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