Las Vegas Issues New Mask Mandate For Workers

Nevada's governor has given the go-ahead for casinos in Las Vegas to reopen with restrictions, as countries across the planet ease up on economy-strangling lockdowns AFP / Bridget BENNETT

Employees in Las Vegas that interact with members of the public, work indoors and with co-workers will be required to wear masks following a vote by the Clark County Commission.

The vote, which took place on Tuesday, applies to employees in Las Vegas as well as other parts of Clark County, but it doesn’t affect tourists. The move is an attempt to stop the spread of COVID-19 among locals to avoid going through another shutdown.

Last year, casinos, restaurants, and other businesses were forced to close their doors at the height of the pandemic.

“We have already been through a shutdown and a start-up, and we cannot afford to have major conventions decide to go elsewhere,” said Commissioner Jim Gibson.

Local business owner Chris Scarpulla told KSNV he wasn’t thrilled about the new mask mandate but revealed he plans to have his employees follow it.

“I don’t think the employees are very happy with it, but I think they’re happy enough to follow the mandate and understand that this keeps them employed,” he said. “This keeps us open.”

Meanwhile, cafe owner Patricia Olsen revealed her employees assumed getting the vaccine would allow them to go maskless at work.

“They went and got vaccinated so they could take their masks off, it’s just a little confusing that now we are required to wear it again,” Patricia Olsen, told KVVU-TV.

Clark County has experienced a rise in positive COVID-19 cases due to the highly transmissible delta variant.

The new mask guidelines will be in place until Aug. 17, when the Clark County Commission is expected to meet and reevaluate the mandate.