Clark County workers required to wear masks indoors amid spike in COVID cases

EMPLOYEES in Clark County—which includes the Las Vegas area—will be required to wear masks while working in indoor public spaces amid a new spike of COVID-19 cases in the region.

On Tuesday, July 20, the Clark County Commission approved a mask mandate that would apply to employees in the county who work in indoor public spaces, such as malls, retail stores and event venues.

The rule took effect at 12:01 a.m. on Thursday, July 22 and will be reviewed again on August 17.

The county commission is also requiring businesses open to the public to post signs encouraging patrons—both vaccinated and unvaccinated—to wear masks indoors.

This move comes over two months after the state of Nevada dropped the mask wearing requiring for fully vaccinated individuals. However, face coverings are still recommended for those who are not unvaccinated. Governor Steve Sisolak welcomed the county “using their local authority” and mandating masks for employees to help prevent transmission in Southern Nevada.

“State agencies and leaders are working every day with my Office in joint unity with local leaders and health districts to combat recent increases. The State remains completely committed to provide every resource and support available to all of our counties as we see a rise in cases among the unvaccinated, driven by the Delta variant. If you are not vaccinated, or if you know someone who is not vaccinated, now is the time to get your shot and ensure that Nevada continues on our path to recovery,” Sisolak said in a statement on Tuesday.

Likewise, the Nevada Gaming Control Board said it was “fully supportive” of the new mandate.

“As a partner in the mitigation and management of the COVID-19 pandemic since its inception, the Board is fully supportive of the Southern Nevada Health District and the Clark County Commission in its mask mandate for employees in Clark County. The Board will ensure compliance with this requirement in Clark County within the Board’s areas of jurisdiction,” Board Chair J. Brin Gibson said in a statement.

As of this writing, Nevada reported 692 new cases—624 of which were reported in Clark County. The state health authority reported that 55.75% of the population 12 years and older have received at least one dose of the vaccine, while 46.7% are considered fully vaccinated.