Gov. Steve Sisolak's latest directive requires everyone to wear a mask in public, starting Thursday at 11:59 p.m., with a few exceptions. The order gives every law enforcement agency the authority to enforce the new rule. Each local jurisdiction is also deciding how to move forward with the mandate.

"We have to decide how that's going to go, whether that's proactive enforcement where we go out to businesses or whether it's something that the public reports to us," Jon Humbert, City of Reno Spokesperson said.

The mask requirement pertains to businesses and individuals. Businesses are expected to require employees and customers to wear masks. The governor is encouraging them to post signage to let customers know that they have to wear a mask or face covering.

"Businesses that fail to meet requirements in this directive will face violations from local licensing agencies and regulating authorities, in addition to Nevada OSHA," Sisolak, D-Nevada said.

Reno, Sparks and Washoe County are working together to determine how to move forward, while keeping their policies consistent.

"We're one community," Humbert said. "We want to make sure Sparks, the county and Reno are all on the same page about the way that we're approaching this."

Humbert says Reno's Code Enforcement Team will likely deal with businesses who do not comply, rather than the police department.

"That's how we would handle it," Humbert said. "With law enforcement, that is a last resort sort of thing."

The governor and city officials say they do not want to cite businesses or individuals, but they will if it comes to that. Businesses could be penalized in many ways, including the suspension or loss of business and other licenses.

"If you've got repeated problems with this and you're not able to take care of your own employees and the people who come to your businesses, then yeah, it's time to look at your business license," Humbert said.

Individuals would face much different penalties. Humbert says someone who is not wearing a mask in downtown Reno is much different than a non-compliant business. The expected plan is to warn the person, but they could also face criminal or civil charges.

"We don't want to try to arrest people over not wearing a mask," Humbert said. "I mean, it doesn't need to rise to that level."

"The last thing I want is for monetary fines or criminal penalties to be imposed on Nevadans, which is why I strongly encourage everyone to follow this directive," Sisolak said.

When the City of Reno finalizes its pathway forward, Humbert says the plan is to codify the plan so that residents know exactly what they could face.

Douglas County is moving forward with its own plan. It does not plan to cite people for ignoring the order. It is asking residents to be aware of the CDC guidelines and the governor's face mask mandate.

Douglas County released a statement, saying in part, "However, due to the minor nature of the offense, the potential for negative enforcement encounters,  and anticipating the various ways in which the order could be violated, it would be inappropriate  for deputies to criminally enforce the Governors directive. Accordingly, the Sheriff’s Office will not be doing  so.  Rather, we will continue in an educational capacity in partnership with the Douglas County Board of Health."

 

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