Joining other states, Gov. Sisolak cancels indoor mask mandate

Gov. Steve Sisolak on Thursday canceled the state’s indoor mask mandate, effective immediately.

He told a press conference the number of daily infections has dropped precipitously, as has the number of hospitalizations and deaths attributed to the pandemic.

“Now is the time,” he said.

Nevada isn’t alone: governors in a number of states are reducing or eliminating mask mandates, including New York, California, Massachusetts, Illinois, Rhode Island and Washington.

But Sisolak made it clear that individual school districts retain the right to require masks if they believe it is needed to protect their students and teachers.

The Carson City School District changed its policy last week, allowing parents to decide if their children would wear a mask.

Sisolak added private businesses can continue to require masking to protect customers and employees.

Asked whether there is a chance the mandate could be re-imposed if things get worse he said, “never say never.”

He was reminded he had to reimpose the mask mandate in July after the delta variant caused a surge in new infections.

The order applies immediately to all settings, including Nevada’s correctional facilities.

“I’m hopeful this does not cause an increase in hospitalizations moving forward,” Sisolak said. “We’ve put businesses through a lot in the last two years. My hope is this will increase business, hopeful it will help our employment situation.

“Everyone wants to get back to their normal life. I think the time has come.”

Despite that, he emphasized that the pandemic is not over, that there are still far too many cases, hospitalizations and deaths.

Sisolak said daily infections have fallen from a high of 7,865 on Jan. 10 to just over 1,000 a day now and that just a tenth of a percent of those infected required hospitalization.

While he said masks have done their part, the biggest driver in the improvement is that some two-thirds of those 5 and older are now vaccinated in Nevada.

Last week, the first of 600,000 home test kits for COVID began arriving in Nevada and this week, the Interim Finance Committee approved $20 million to strengthen the nursing apprenticeship program.

In addition, he said the state will have treatment centers using $19 million in federal funding. Those centers will provide treatment for free to those who need it.

Sisolak also urged those who decide not to mask up to recognize that those who still want to mask have the right to do so without bring criticized. He said all must realize some people have reasons for masking such as a compromised immune system or other medical conditions. And he pointed out that business owners have the absolute right to require masks if they choose.

There are, however, still places where masks are required by the federal government, including hospitals, long-term care facilities, commercial aircraft, public and school buses.