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Officials: 80% of Nevada businesses complying with COVID-19 mandates

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Posted at 2:08 PM, Jul 11, 2020
and last updated 2020-07-11 17:47:26-04

LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — Compliance checks continue in Southern Nevada by officials with the Division of Industrial Relations.

Nevada OSHA officials say they found 100% of the 18 businesses visited in follow-ups on Thursday to be in compliance with required health and safety measures to slow community spread of COVID-19.

A total of 74 follow-up visits have been conducted, according to officials, with 6 of those businesses observed to be in noncompliance.

Investigations are ongoing at those locations that may lead to the issuance of a citation, according to officials.

Follow-up compliance visits will continue the week of July 13 at locations where large numbers of people congregate for extended periods and establishments where initial compliance was low.

Casinos among businesses issued violations for not complying with COVID-19 mandates

Officials say they conducted an additional 187 initial observations on July 9 and 10 at large and small establishments and retailers with a focus on restaurants, general retail, and aquatic facilities.

Visits were also conducted at grocery stores, convenience stores, hair and nail salons, clothing stores, and financial institutions.

Findings of these initial visits are below:

-Overall compliance - 187 observations - 87% statewide, 88% in the north and 87% in the south
-Restaurants - 92 observations - 85% compliance
-General retail - 38 observations - 90% compliance
-Convenience stores - 9 observations - 89% compliance
-Pools - 8 observations - 75% compliance
-Grocery stores - 7 observations - 100% compliance
-Water park - 1 observation - not in compliance
-All other business types - 32 observations - 94% compliance

Since the initial observations began, 1,751 businesses have been surveyed, showing a cumulative statewide compliance rate of 80%, with 86% compliance in Northern Nevada and 74% compliance in Southern Nevada.

Officials say the cumulative statewide compliance has moved between a low of 77% and a high of 85%.

In addition to the field observation process, Nevada OSHA says it continues to respond to complaints and referrals regarding face coverings, social distancing, cleaning and disinfection, and other areas of concern related to COVID-19 received by their offices.

Nearly 1,300 complaints have been received since mid-March.

The majority of the complaints have been resolved through an employer inquiry and response process.

Increased enforcement of face mask mandate in Nevada

In instances where the inquiry process does not provide a satisfactory response or resolution of the complaint, an investigation is opened. Officials say a citation and penalty are issued if a violation is found.

Since mid-March, Nevada OSHA has issued 98 citations resulting from investigations into COVID-19 related workplace safety concerns.

Of those, 44 citations have been issued to businesses located in Reno, with an average penalty amount of $4,390. Fifty-four citations have been issued to businesses located in Las Vegas, with an average penalty amount of $5,880, according to the State of Nevada Department of Business and Industry.