Governor rescinds mask mandate in Nevada

On Thursday, Gov. Steve Sisolak lifted the mask mandate in Nevada, citing lower case numbers for the coronavirus and increased accessibility to tests.

“Given all these updates and the tools we now have, I am rescinding the mask mandates effective immediately,” he said. “If you feel sick, stay home.”

Douglas County School District will no longer require employees and visitors to wear masks, Superintendent Keith Lewis said on Thursday. 

"Because the Douglas County School Board has previously given the superintendent direction that mask guidelines in the district be no more strict than state masking guidelines, the district will immediately remove the requirement that adult employees and guest wear masks in school buildings."

A resolution was adopted last summer seeking local control over masking decisions. 

"While we wish the decision to remove all mask mandates was made much earlier, we welcome this news and change in guidelines," Lewis said. "We believe it's important that our teachers and administrators focus on the important work of educating children without the distraction that comes with masks."

Masks are still required of staff and students using district transportation, including school buses.

"This remains a federal requirement for public transportation," Lewis said. "We hope a change in the federal requirements will be forthcoming."

Masks are still going to be required on public transportation and school buses, he said at a 10 a.m. press conference.

He said that health officials and school districts will work together to deal with outbreaks of the virus. 

Sisolak was down in southern Douglas County on Wednesday to discuss the Tamarack Fire where a reporter asked him about the mask issue. He said he would discuss it the following day.