Governor Steve Sisolak says Nevada will mandate the use of face coverings in public places in an effort to stem rising coronavirus cases after casinos, restaurants and other businesses started reopening.
The Democratic governor said Nevada must make face coverings a routine part of daily life in order to keep businesses open and people safe.
Nevada joins several states, including California, Washington and North Carolina in mandating face-coverings, after those states’ Democratic governors implemented similar mandates.
At a live press conference Wednesday, Sisolak announced that he was signing a directive to make wearing face masks in public and inside businesses mandatory, effective on Friday.
Gov. Sisolak said businesses have the right to refuse service to anyone not wearing a mask, quoting "no shoes, no shirt, no mask, no service."
He said any discussions about Phase 3 of the 'Roadmap to Recovery' have been tabled for now.
Gov. Sisolak also said the general fund shortfall is estimated at $1.27 billion dollars due to the pandemic. He said budget proposals will be finalized soon.
(The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
