LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — Nevada officials report a 49% compliance rate of the governor's mask mandate at businesses throughout the state ahead of the Fourth of July holiday - a finding that Gov. Steve Sisolak calls "disappointing and unacceptable."
The Division of Industrial Relations Occupation Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) surveyed 204 businesses on July 2, primarily targeting bars and restaurant lounges for compliance with the public face-covering mandate.
Of the 204 businesses observed, the department reports just 49 percent complied with the face-covering requirements.
MASK MANDATE: What you need to know in Nevada
The findings come on the day that business license agents in Clark County say they will step up enforcement of the governor’s directives.
Beginning Friday, businesses that are not in compliance may be given a written warning, a fine, citation, or have their business license suspended and immediately closed.
READ: GOVERNOR GUIDANCE ON FACE COVERING DIRECTIVE
FURTHER BREAKDOWN
Besides the 49 percent compliance rate on July 2, OSHA reports 50 percent of the 180 bars and restaurant bar areas visited by officials were found to be in compliance. The remaining establishments, including automobile sales and maintenance, gyms, hair and nail establishments, and tattoo shops demonstrated a 61 percent rate of compliance.
RELATED: LATEST NUMBERS FROM AROUND THE STATE
Since the enforcement of Directive 024 began, the overall business compliance rate is 85 percent in Northern Nevada and 65 percent in Southern Nevada.
Business sectors with the highest rates of statewide non-compliance include:
- home improvement stores- 61 percent noncompliance
- bars- 48 percent noncompliance
- grocery stores- 40 percent noncompliance
- casino hotels- 33 percent noncompliance
RELATED: Nevada has the highest COVID-19 transmission rate in the US
STATEMENT FROM GOV. SISOLAK
Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak issued a statement in regards to reported 49% compliance numbers reported by OSHA, saying:
The noncompliance numbers reported by State officials are disappointing and unacceptable a week after the face coverings directive was issued.
To the businesses who are complying, I want to say thank you from the bottom of my heart on behalf of all Nevada. You're protecting our businesses, our health, our jobs, our economy and your industry.
To those businesses operating in violation of the directive by not implementing safe social distancing and face covering protocols, you’re not only jeopardizing people's health but you’re also jeopardizing your fellow businesses, your industry, and our overall economy.
I am grateful for the strong partnerships state and local governments who will be taking aggressive, broad-based and swift enforcement actions throughout this holiday weekend.
As I have expressed before, I have growing concerns with our current COVID-19 data trends. If these concerning reports on noncompliance continue, I will not hesitate to take swift and decisive actions next week directed at targeted industries or areas that are experiencing concerning COVID-19 trends and non-compliance.
HOW TO REPORT A BUSINESS
Complaints can be filed with Nevada OSHA by calling (702) 486-9020 in Southern Nevada and (775) 688-3700 in Northern Nevada.
Complaints can also be filed online at osha.gov.
Residents in Clark County who wish to file a complaint about business can email CCBLenforcement@ClarkCountyNV.gov or call 702-455-6562.
