Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak announced during a news conference in Carson City, Nev., Thursday, May 7, 2020, that Nevada will begin allowing restaurants, salons and other non-essential businesses to reopen starting Saturday. It's the first easing of restrictions imposed in Nevada seven weeks ago to stop the spread of the coronavirus. Casinos are among businesses that will remain closed for now. (AP Photo/Scott Sonner)
Gov. Steve Sisolak cancelled Tuesday evening’s press conference over concerns he may have been exposed to the virus.
But he issued a statement saying Phase 2 reopening can begin Friday, May 29, allowing many more businesses to get back open for customers.
He cancelled Tuesday’s press conference saying he visited a work place last week where an employee has since tested positive for the COVID-19 virus. That employee was not in the building at the time but Sisolak said he cancelled the press conference “out of an abundance of caution.” He said he will quarantine at the Governor’s Mansion.
The only people at those press conferences are Sisolak’s top staff members and the press.
He said he will be tested for the virus and will announce the results of the test when he gets them. His statement added that, at no time in the past five days has he exhibited any symptoms of the disease.
Sisolak said Phase 2 re-openings will expand the ability to get back to work to a number of businesses that have been shuttered for two months.
He said in Phase 2, public gatherings can increase from 10 people to 50, while maintaining social distancing.
Adult entertainment, brothels, nightclubs and day clubs are still closed. But he said state offices, gyms, and bars that don’t serve food can begin reopening under restrictions including no more than 50 percent capacity and strict social distancing — the same restrictions as are currently applied to restaurants.
Theaters, bowling alleys and indoor are allowed to reopen with the same restrictions as restaurants and retail stores.
He said employees at opened businesses must wear masks.
The governor also said faith-based gatherings can return.
He urged leaders to keep gatherings to 50 people or less, and maintain social distancing.
“I strongly urge places of worship continue to provide onlineor virtual services as much as possible to protect those they serve, especially
those who are among our vulnerable populations,” he said in a statement. “I am confident faith leaders will follow the guidance and restrictions necessary to protect the health and welfare of their communities.”
Sisolak has already said he plans to allow casinos to reopen June 4 under strict limitations developed by resort operators and the Nevada Gaming Control Board.
He said in his last press conference the reopening process is moving faster than he and experts originally expected because Nevadans are taking the Coronavirus restrictions seriously. The result, he said, is infections are “in a downward trajectory” for nearly a month with hospitalizations continuing to drop.
He said the rate of infections in those tested has continued to decrease.
The positivity rate of those tested as declined to 6.5 percent. That’s a decrease for 31 days in a row.
Testing has increased to more than 4,000 a day. Just yesterday it was more than 9,325 tests.
Sisolak, his top staffers and his security team are likely more at risk than most because of the number of people they come in contact with. Chief of Staff Michelle White said she and the others in close contact with the governor are also getting tested.
Sisolak urged Nevadans at that time to continue to self isolate and practice social distancing, sanitization and other efforts to limit the spread of the virus so the state and its economy can begin to return to some semblance of normal.
Sisolak said the Nevada Department of Health and Human Services is working with the Nevada Department of Corrections on an effort to test all inmates and facility staff.
“We are finalizing action plans for a more robust statewide contact tracing system that will expand our ability to trace this virus in a more coordinated and cohesive way,” Sisolak said. He said more contact tracing plans will be provided later this week.
“During Phase 2, I cannot emphasize enough the importance of continuing to wear face coverings in public and maintaining at least six feet of social distancing when you are out in public and around people from other households,” Sisolak said adding that all employees will continue to be required to wear a face covering and also abide by measures set forth by OSHA and other regulatory authorities.
Businesses that remain closed in Phase 2 include:
Businesses that will start to open:
Gov. Steve Sisolak cancelled Tuesday evening’s press conference over concerns he may have been exposed to the virus.
But he issued a statement saying Phase 2 reopening can begin Friday, May 29, allowing many more businesses to get back open for customers.
He cancelled Tuesday’s press conference saying he visited a work place last week where an employee has since tested positive for the COVID-19 virus. That employee was not in the building at the time but Sisolak said he cancelled the press conference “out of an abundance of caution.” He said he will quarantine at the Governor’s Mansion.
The only people at those press conferences are Sisolak’s top staff members and the press.
He said he will be tested for the virus and will announce the results of the test when he gets them. His statement added that, at no time in the past five days has he exhibited any symptoms of the disease.
Sisolak said Phase 2 re-openings will expand the ability to get back to work to a number of businesses that have been shuttered for two months.
He said in Phase 2, public gatherings can increase from 10 people to 50, while maintaining social distancing.
Adult entertainment, brothels, nightclubs and day clubs are still closed. But he said state offices, gyms, and bars that don’t serve food can begin reopening under restrictions including no more than 50 percent capacity and strict social distancing — the same restrictions as are currently applied to restaurants.
Theaters, bowling alleys and indoor are allowed to reopen with the same restrictions as restaurants and retail stores.
He said employees at opened businesses must wear masks.
The governor also said faith-based gatherings can return.
He urged leaders to keep gatherings to 50 people or less, and maintain social distancing.
“I strongly urge places of worship continue to provide onlineor virtual services as much as possible to protect those they serve, especially
those who are among our vulnerable populations,” he said in a statement. “I am confident faith leaders will follow the guidance and restrictions necessary to protect the health and welfare of their communities.”
Sisolak has already said he plans to allow casinos to reopen June 4 under strict limitations developed by resort operators and the Nevada Gaming Control Board.
He said in his last press conference the reopening process is moving faster than he and experts originally expected because Nevadans are taking the Coronavirus restrictions seriously. The result, he said, is infections are “in a downward trajectory” for nearly a month with hospitalizations continuing to drop.
He said the rate of infections in those tested has continued to decrease.
The positivity rate of those tested as declined to 6.5 percent. That’s a decrease for 31 days in a row.
Testing has increased to more than 4,000 a day. Just yesterday it was more than 9,325 tests.
Sisolak, his top staffers and his security team are likely more at risk than most because of the number of people they come in contact with. Chief of Staff Michelle White said she and the others in close contact with the governor are also getting tested.
Sisolak urged Nevadans at that time to continue to self isolate and practice social distancing, sanitization and other efforts to limit the spread of the virus so the state and its economy can begin to return to some semblance of normal.
Sisolak said the Nevada Department of Health and Human Services is working with the Nevada Department of Corrections on an effort to test all inmates and facility staff.
“We are finalizing action plans for a more robust statewide contact tracing system that will expand our ability to trace this virus in a more coordinated and cohesive way,” Sisolak said. He said more contact tracing plans will be provided later this week.
“During Phase 2, I cannot emphasize enough the importance of continuing to wear face coverings in public and maintaining at least six feet of social distancing when you are out in public and around people from other households,” Sisolak said adding that all employees will continue to be required to wear a face covering and also abide by measures set forth by OSHA and other regulatory authorities.
Businesses that remain closed in Phase 2 include:
Businesses that will start to open: