Visitors to Las Vegas, prepare to cover yourself. Nevada travelers and residents must now wear masks when inside a public place. That means visitors to the city’s dozens of hotel casinos must wear face covers, except when they eat or drink.
The order takes effect at 12:01 am on Friday.
“Shirtless. No shoes. No mask. No service,” Nevada Governor Steve Sisolak said Wednesday in announcing the order.
Citing the guidance of health officials, Sisolak said that masks would be needed whenever people are inside a place other than a private home. California Governor Gavin Newsom issued a similar mask requirement last week.
The Nevada state order came as the number of COVID-19 cases increases. As of Wednesday, the Nevada Department of Health and Human Services reported 14,362 confirmed cases and 494 deaths. In the 24-hour period included in Wednesday’s statistics, 365 new cases of the new coronavirus were reported, the fifth highest number in a single day since the reports began.
Additionally, Caesars Entertainment released its own mandatory mask policy on Wednesday. As the rule went into effect, security guards delivered face covers at the company’s Las Vegas resorts. The requirement extends to all Caesars properties in the US. USA And Canada.
“Our intention is to talk to people from our properties who don’t wear masks, give them masks [and] ask them to put them on, ”said Rich Broome, a Caesars spokesman. “If they continue to refuse, we would ask them to leave the property.”
MGM Resorts International announced that masks would be mandatory for guests at all properties across the country.
Nevada joins more than 15 states and the District of Columbia in issuing statewide orders that require people to wear face covers. California, Washington State, and New Mexico have orders, but not all orders are created equal. Some require facial coatings anywhere in the public, others only in closed or specific places, such as on public transportation.
Las Vegas began reopening on June 4 after casinos received the green light from health experts and the Nevada Gaming Control Board. The resorts have implemented new measures due to the pandemic, including the placement of Plexiglass barriers on the gaming tables, which require employees to wear masks and cleaning cards on the tables after each use.
Still, many visitors eager to party were not inclined to social distance or wear masks when they hit the pool or bar.
Los Angeles Times writer Arash Markazi said he was embarrassed when he visited Las Vegas. He reflected on the environment in his story: “Welcome to the new Las Vegas, where the coronavirus pandemic is in the mental rearview mirror of many visitors, and the shame of the mask is in vogue for some tourists trying to get back to normal.” .
Here is one of the videos he made showing crowds of people in the casino:
Las Vegas resorts, restaurants and attractions have been gradually reopening. By July 4, 21 of the approximately 35 resorts along the Strip will be open and join the celebrations.
