Ethiopian Restaurant Fined by OSHA for Not Complying With Mandatory Mask Order

The Nevada Division of Industrial Relations’ OSHA department issued a citation and monetary penalty to an Ethiopian restaurant and lounge during the week on August 17. The health and safety agency fined Kiss Lounge & Nu Ethiopian Kitchen at 4230 S. Decatur Blvd. $2,892 for not following COVID-19 guidelines issued by the state.

Officials generally observe noncompliance first, which usually relates to wearing a mandatory face covering, and try to work with the business to correct the problem. After a follow-up visit, OSHA may issue a monetary penalty. Since June 24, when officials first started visiting businesses to confirm compliance with Gov. Steve Sisolak’s mandatory face mask order, only 31 businesses received a citation statewide after visits to 6,611.

KTNV reports that officials visited 456 businesses across the state last week and found an 88 percent compliance rate statewide, with 93 percent compliance in southern Nevada. Overall, restaurants are 94 percent compliant statewide. Restaurants receive 16 percent of the complaints regarding face masks, with 447 since the mandatory mask order went into effect in June.

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