Sisolak Announces New Restrictions For Nevada As COVID-19 Cases Rise



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Kristin oh
,
Chelcey adami

| Reno Gazette Journal

Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak has bolstered Nevada’s mask tenure among other new restrictions announced on Sunday as the state attempts to end a recent surge in coronavirus cases.

The new restrictions, called a “statewide break”, will take effect at midnight Tuesday and will be in place for three weeks.

“Since the start of this pandemic, there has been no decision that does not have negative consequences. Weighing the loss of jobs and businesses against the loss of health and lives is painful, without a perfect solution. “Sisolak said.

Private gatherings will be limited to ten and can include people from up to two households. The limits for public gatherings will also be reduced from 250 people to 50, including for churches. Masks are mandatory at all times when you are with someone outside of your immediate household, including at private gatherings indoors and outdoors.

Other restrictions announced on Sunday include:

  • Reservations are required at all restaurants and bars that serve food, including fast food restaurants. The capacity of restaurants and bars has been reduced by 50-25% and there cannot be more than four customers at a table.
  • The capacity of gymnasiums, fitness rooms and dance studios is reduced by 50 to 25 percent. Customers should wear a mask at all times, unless they are actively drinking. If the activity is too intense to be done with a proper mask wearing, people should look for an alternative.
  • The capacity of the casino has been reduced from 50 to 25%.
  • Public gatherings are limited to no more than 50 people, or 25% of the fire code’s capacity, whichever is less.
  • Arcades, art galleries, aquariums, racetracks, bowling alleys, mini golf, libraries, museums and zoos are all reduced to 25% of their capacity.
  • Big box stores over 50,000 square feet must now have monitors at public entrances to manage capacity
  • There will be a break from sports tournaments for adults and young people

No changes were announced regarding the capacity of community and recreation centers, retail stores, hair salons, massage establishments or stores that offer skin services. Brothels, nightclubs and adult entertainment remain closed.

“I know the majority of our bars and restaurants are doing their best, but these environments have been proven to pose a high risk as they allow people to remove their face masks in indoor environments around people outside their homes,” Sisolak said. “This is how the virus is spread.”

There will be no restrictions on in-person learning in schools.

“Our casinos, hotels, restaurants and bars are open with strict restrictions so that we can protect our economy,” Sisolak said. “Meanwhile, the majority of school buildings in our state are closed and our children are suffering. Our education system and our economy are not mutually exclusive – they are linked together. don’t be completely open. “

Sisolak a annoncé les nouvelles restrictions lors d’une mise à jour sur la réponse COVID de l’État dimanche.

More: Governor Sisolak warns of tighter restrictions if COVID-19 figures do not improve

The press conference came virtually after the governor tested positive for COVID-19 on November 13 and continues to self-isolate. He said on Sunday that he was feeling well and not experiencing any symptoms.

Sisolak had warned of another shutdown earlier this month, telling reporters that the state “must see a significant reversal in current trends” in order to keep the state economy running. He also called on local governments to step up enforcement of the state’s existing COVID containment measures and urged employers to allow telecommuting whenever possible – all in an effort to “mimic” orders from much more stringent shelter-in-place issued at the start of the pandemic.

In March, Sisolak shut down all non-essential activities to stem the spread of COVID-19, issuing strict stay-at-home orders that were gradually canceled as the case curve began to flatten in late July.

In September, the governor raised the limit for large statewide gatherings to 250 people and said he would allow more than 1,000 people to attend conventions, trade shows and other events that submit a large assembly plan approved by state and local health officials.

But Nevada, like much of the rest of the country, has been hit by a dramatic fall swell in new cases that health officials say could soon overwhelm state hospitals.

Seven months after the first modernization of a parking lot as a deployable medical structure due to the pandemic, Renown Health began welcoming its first COVID-19 patients to the alternative care site.

“We are on a rapid trajectory that threatens to overwhelm our health care system, our frontline health workers and your access to care. It is therefore time to act, ”said Sisolak.

The situation would have been better, Sisolak said, if the presidential administration had taken stronger measures at the start of the pandemic.

“The lack of a national plan has been devastating for states,” he said.

As of Sunday, 13 of Nevada’s 17 counties were reported to be at high risk of transmission. By early October, only two counties had been reported. Ten percent of all COVID cases in Nevada were reported last week, Sisolak said on Sunday.

“Our rate of growth of cases is at the level of wildfires – even surpassing neighboring states, such as Arizona,” Sisolak said. “All available models indicate Nevada is in a ‘red zone’ and our health experts predict continued growth of cases based on current trends.”

Sisolak said the state would continue to assess the situation over the next three weeks to decide whether to maintain the restrictions or relax them. However, if the situation worsens, he warned he would take tougher measures such as banning meals and indoor service in restaurants and gyms; closure of gymnasiums and fitness facilities; and severe restrictions on the size of gatherings.

“But I hope these restrictions announced today and come into effect on Tuesday will help reduce our workload,” he said. “I don’t want to impose further restrictions, but we are too close to the real solution, vaccines, to give up now.”

Washoe County reported a record 817 new cases of COVID-19 and four other coronavirus-related deaths on Saturday.

The new cases break the previous daily record of 610 cases as of Nov. 18, according to the Regional Information Center.

Washoe County reported another record 835 new cases as well as five additional deaths on Sunday.

One week away from the Thanksgiving holiday last Thursday, Nevada reported a new one-day high for new coronavirus cases with 2,386, and Washoe County has reported more than 6,000 active cases diagnosed for the first time.

The state recorded 133,888 cases and 2017 deaths on Sunday, according to the state’s COVID dashboard.

Anjeanette Damon and James Dehaven of RGJ contributed to this report.

Kristin Oh is a public safety reporter for the Reno Gazette Journal. She can be reached at [email protected] or at 775-420-1285. Please help them support their work by subscribing.



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