Gov. Steve Sisolak speaks during a news conference at the Sawyer State Office Building Monday, Aug. 16, 2021. The governor gave an update on the COVID-19 situation in Nevada.
Published Monday, Aug. 16, 2021 | 6:40 p.m.
Updated Monday, Aug. 16, 2021 | 8:38 p.m.
Large-capacity venues in Nevada will soon have the option to bypass the indoor mask mandate by requiring attendees to show proof of vaccination against COVID-19, Gov. Steve Sisolak announced Monday evening.
In an ideal scenario described by Sisolak: A fully vaccinated Raiders fan would be able to shed their mask at Allegiant Stadium, while someone who’s partially inoculated would be allowed inside but have to wear a mask.
If the fan hasn’t gotten either jab, they would hopefully be inspired to get one outside the stadium in order to gain access, said Sisolak, who said the proposal is not a mandate.
To opt in, venues must have fixed, ticketed seating for an attendance above 4,000, said Sisolak, noting that a verification system would have to be in place and staff would be trained to distinguish between the fully vaccinated and the partially inoculated.
Children under 12, who are yet not eligible for the shot, would have to be masked.
State health officials would work with these businesses to implement the policy, according to Sisolak, who said this could be a footprint for future proposals for smaller businesses.
Large-venue operators and promoters were just learning about the proposal Monday evening, Sisolak noted.
Following Sisolak's announcement, the Raiders said it would be the first team in the NFL to require proof of vaccination to attend a home game, beginning with their regular season opener against the Baltimore Ravens on Sept. 13 at Allegiant Stadium, according to a press release.
It will check the requirement via an app.
The Raiders said there will be a vaccination station on the premises for fans who haven't been inoculated.
In reimplementing a mask mandate in late July, Nevada is following Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendations for masking indoors, regardless of vaccination status, in jurisdictions with a substantial or high transmission of the virus, which currently applies to most of the state.
Noting “encouraging news,” Sisolak said that Nevada has vaccinated 20% more people than the national average over the past couple of weeks.
Additionally, the spread of the virus is slowing, Sisolak said. While the national growth average for the past two weeks stood at 118%, Nevada was only reporting a 15% increase.
Nevada has fully vaccinated about 49% of the population eligible for the jab, while 60% of those 12 and older have received at least one shot, according to the state’s COVID dashboard.
Currently, nearly 1,300 people are hospitalized in Nevada with suspected cases of COVID-19, 273 of whom are occupying intensive care unit beds, and 201 are on ventilators, data shows.
The state is reporting nearly 374,000 confirmed cases and at least 6,190 deaths since the onset of the pandemic last March.
Asked about MGM Resorts International’s announcement Monday that new hires and salaried employees will be required to show proof of vaccination to remain employed, Sisolak said he encouraged other private entities to do likewise.
“I hope that more businesses require their front-end staff and their back of house … to be vaccinated,” he said. “It’s the best way to keep everyone safe and to stomp out this virus. We’re running against the clock here ... any idea that somebody has that could get their employees and their customers, if they choose to, get vaccinated, I think that’s great.”
