LAS VEGAS (AP) — Nevada is re-imposing a mask mandate for public indoor settings in places where COVID-19 is surging, including the state's largest cities, state authorities said Tuesday.
Gov. Steve Sisolak's order, effective at 12:01 a.m. Friday, follows an indoor masking recommendation issued by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention earlier in the day.
State officials said they hope the three-day grace period gives businesses time to adapt to the new guidelines affecting residents regardless of vaccination status in 12 of the state's 17 counties.
“Businesses and residents in counties with substantial or high transmission are strongly urged to adopt the changes as soon as possible,” state health officials said in a statement.
Reno officials said Tuesday that they plan to require masks at their facilities, which include city hall and indoor pools, starting Wednesday.
In Nevada and nationwide, recent spikes in the number of new coronavirus cases reported daily have been fueled by the highly contagious delta variant.
Most new infections continue to be among unvaccinated people. So-called breakthrough infections, which generally cause milder illness, can occur in vaccinated people.
Nevada's indoor mask requirements will apply to Reno, Las Vegas, Carson City, Elko and other cities. The state Gaming Control Board confirmed the mandate would apply to casinos in counties with high transmission rates.
It could hamper tourism industry efforts to entice visitors and trade shows back to power the state's economy.
Health officials reported 1,124 new coronavirus cases on Tuesday, more than any day since Feb. 8.
The number of people hospitalized for the virus spiked to 1,143 on Tuesday, only four less than a peak reached last summer during a second surge — and before...
