Las Vegas Valley residents, visitors, and business owners woke up Friday to the new requirement to wear face masks in indoor public spaces, and most appeared to be complying with the reintroduced restriction.
The mandate, re-imposed by Governor Steve Sisolak almost two months after the previous restrictions were lifted on June 1, took effect at 12:01 a.m. in most parts of Nevada. The change is in line with revised guidelines issued Tuesday by the federal centers for disease control and prevention.
Anecdotal reports from various locations across the valley on Friday showed that most adhered to the new rules, although there was some confusion over the details of the mandate. It was observed that a relatively small number of people did not obey the mask requirement, although it was not clear whether this was due to ignorance or defiance.
State officials say the mask policy is needed to slow the rise in COVID-19 metrics in Clark County and other parts of the state, an increase they believe is fueled by unvaccinated Nevadaans.
The Sisolak office issued final guidance on the new policy late Thursday, which included a definition of “public interior design” which was described as “any interior space in which there are other people who are not part of your own household” . It provided examples of such spaces, which included “gyms, saunas, fitness studios, and similar facilities,” and listed categories of people exempted from the requirement, including those with medical conditions.
Inside, outside, off and on
The staff at Real Results Gym on 1201 S. Commerce St., off Main Street, had a different interpretation, saying that being able to open the building’s large sliding doors to let in fresh air gave them some leeway give so customers can go without a mask. At least two exercisers who refused to comment were seen not wearing masks.
But Bong Hidalgo, who showed up at the gym for a workout at 5am, decided it was still an indoor public area despite the breeze, and put on a mask before stepping in and going on with his routine of burpees, weightlifting, bike crunches and ball slams started and sled pushes and pulls.
“It’s difficult with the mask, but if I need to, I’ll do it,” Hidalgo said between heavy breaths. “I work in healthcare. I am a nurse. So I follow what to do. It’s definitely more difficult with the mask. “
When the pandemic started, senior trainer Michael Hayden said the boutique-style gym had to close for about three months and move to virtual workouts with clients. The gym introduced social distancing and improved cleaning protocols when it reopened.
“We’ve done this before and customers are familiar with it,” said Hayden. “I’m sure it’s not ideal, but they will come and do their workout. If you need to take a breath you can put it back on.”
Almost all of the guests at Fremont Street casinos wore masks on Friday mornings, sometimes after receiving reminders or warnings from staff.
A maskless man was seen walking through the Golden Gate before a casino employee stopped him and reminded him of the mandate.
At the Golden Nugget, about half a dozen guests went to the hotel reception to pick up masks. The hotel casino had a drawer full for those who needed it.
Out on Fremont Street, about half of the visitors remained masked, while others removed theirs or dropped them around their necks after entering the open air.
Andrew Powell, of southern California, who was hanging out with his girlfriend near Fremont Street, said the couple arrived Thursday night on a trip planned months ago, just hours before the mask mandate went into effect.
Powell said he would comply, but it’s a hassle he’d rather get over.
“Everything to keep people safe, but I just want this pandemic to be over like everyone else,” he said.
At Sunset Station, all observed employees wore masks on Friday afternoon. Among guests, compliance was around 98 percent, with some wearing one that dangled from one ear or left their nose exposed.
The Miracle Mile Shops on the Strip had large red signs at each entrance to remind shoppers that “masks are required for all”. Most also had a hand sanitizer dispenser nearby and masks available. More than 75 percent of shoppers wore face covers when they came in and out of stores. But mask enforcement didn’t seem aggressive, which resulted in some maskless customers.
Two Florida visitors, Tony and Deana Monte, who smoked cigarettes in the shopping district, said they would obey the state decree, although they preferred not to wear masks.
“I have a feeling that the initial anger is over,” said Deana Monte. “Now everyone says: ‘It is what it is.'”
On the casino floor of Planet Hollywood Resort, a security guard was handing out blue surgical masks from a box of 50 to anyone who asked. Almost all of the players around him on Friday morning adhered to the mandate, although some chose to wear the masks under their chins.
“People don’t want to take them with them, but I have to force them to do so,” said the guard in the yellow shirt.
A few minutes later, two maskless men passed the guard without being stopped.
Companies distribute masks
An agent stationed at the front door of the Target near Rainbow Boulevard and Spring Mountain Road handed out disposable blue masks. A paper sign attached to the front door advises shoppers to wear masks in the store.
Several buyers appeared surprised to hear about the new mandate.
“Can’t believe I’ll have to endure this (expletive) all over again,” exclaimed one grandmother guy. “These people are so stupid.”
It was unclear whether it was referring to those responsible for the mandate or to the non-vaccinated.
One man wearing a clear face mask said he was “crazy as hell” about the new mandate. He said he was fully vaccinated but was wearing the face shield because it was required.
“I was told to get a full vaccination and it will return to normal,” said the man, who refused to give his name for fear of setbacks.
A Walmart across the street had no signs at either entrance to alert customers to the mandate from Friday lunchtime.
The vast majority of people at Walmart wore masks, but others came in without them. A man walked up to a member of staff at the entrance with a mask in hand and asked if this was necessary.
The employee nodded and gestured with other customers, saying the store “encouraged” people to wear them. The man pulled on the simple black mask and went on shopping.
Back to school shoppers combed Famous Footwear on the Tropical Parkway on Friday afternoon. Almost all parents wore face masks, as did many children who didn’t let the face coverings dampen their excitement about planning a first-day wardrobe.
At a target near Grand Canyon Drive and Flamingo Road, customers wore masks, but with a Starbucks in front of the store, many of them would buy coffee and then shop, removing their masks with drinks in hand.
A scattered storefront on a shopping center on Rancho Drive and Charleston Boulevard reminded customers of the renewed masking requirements through signs on doors and windows.
A handful of customers in delis and cafes wore masks while they ordered or sat at tables. Health professionals were masked when ordering their lunch, but other guests were not during the lunch rush.
At Smith’s several storefronts below, however, almost all customers and employees were masked. Signs were put up at the entrance, reminding of the mask requirement.
Around 10 a.m. on Friday at Mothership Coffee Roasters in downtown Ferguson, all but one of the customers adhered to the new mask mandate.
When a woman in powder blue medical gowns without a mask entered, the barista behind the cash register quickly handed her a disposable mask.
“New mandate,” said the barista conciliatory.
The woman excused herself, pulled the mask over her nose and mouth, and ordered a coffee.
Contact Glenn Puit at gpuit@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0390. Follow @GlennatRJ on Twitter. Contact Mike Shoro at mshoro@reviewjournal.com. Follow @mike_shoro on Twitter. Contact Mathew Miranda at mmiranda@reviewjournal.com. Follow @mathewjmiranda on Twitter. Contact Katelyn Newberg at knowberg@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0240. Follow @k_newberg on Twitter. The authors of the review journal Dylan Svoboda, McKenna Ross, Chris Lawrence, Rio Lacanlale, Jason Bracelin, John Przybys and Heidi Knapp Rinella contributed to this report.
