Gov. Steve Sisolak Recloses Bars on Friday to Prevent the Spread of COVID-19

Bars in Clark County and some additional counties in Nevada will reclose on Friday after health officials warned Gov. Steve Sisolak that the number of COVID-19 cases could surge.

Sisolak plans to release new details on Friday that include moving back into phase one restrictions for bars. He says federal health officials warned of a new potential surge in cases that would cause a strain on hospitals. Clark and Washoe counties are included in this new directive that goes into effect at 11:59 p.m. on Friday night.

The governor also recommends that restaurants should encourage outdoor dining and no longer serve more than six people at a table.

The directive comes on the heels of news that about 66 percent of businesses in Southern Nevada complied with the governor’s mandates on wearing masks, social distancing, and other health and safety regulations when the Nevada Division of Industrial Relations conducted in person visits. On Friday, July 3, officials found that casino hotel pools, a water park, bars, and gaming floors were in compliance about 75 percent of the time in Southern Nevada. Only about 40 percent of casino hotel pools were in compliance, while at night only 50 percent of bars and restaurant lounges were in compliance.

Businesses not complying with Sisolak’s orders receive an initial written warning followed by a follow up visit by Nevada OSHA officials. Companies still not in compliance receive a citation and potential penalty up to $134,940.

Sisolak allowed bars to reopen on June 4 after closing all nonessential businesses on March 17 to prevent the spread of COVID-19. On June 26, after an increased number of COVID-19 cases reported statewide, particularly in Clark County, Sisolak mandated that everyone in a public space must wear a mask or face covering and should wear one outdoors where social distancing is difficult.

According to Johns Hopkins University & Medicine’s Coronavirus Resource Center, Clark County now has 20,622 positive COVID-19 cases and 468 deaths since the first case was reported in early March.

• Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak Issues Mandatory Face Mask Order Effective on Friday [ELV]

• How Coronavirus Is Affecting Las Vegas Food and Restaurants [ELV]

• Las Vegas Casino Reopenings: All the Updates [ELV]