screenshot
Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak speaks during a press conference to address the reopening of the state, Thursday, April, 30, 2020.
Published Thursday, May 7, 2020 | 8:21 a.m.
Updated Thursday, May 7, 2020 | 5:16 p.m.
Some Nevada businesses closed in March to combat the coronavirus pandemic will be allowed to gradually start reopening Saturday, nearly a week earlier than originally planned, Gov. Steve Sisolak said today.
Businesses that will be allowed to open with social-distancing restrictions include dine-in restaurants, hair and nail salons and retail stores, including those in open-air malls.
All employees will be required to wear face coverings, and customers are also encouraged to wear masks, Sisolak said.
The governor warned, however, that this is "not going to be the end of coronavirus. It’s still there, and if you let your guard down it’ll hit you right in the face."
Businesses that will remain closed include casinos, nightclubs, bars and taverns that don't serve food, fitness centers, bowling alleys, indoor movie theaters, strip clubs and brothels. Indoor malls will also stay closed, although stores can offer curbside service.
No date has been set for opening those establishments, which have been shuttered since Sisolak on March 17 ordered all nonessential businesses closed to curb the spread of the virus.
The next phase of reopenings will be based on metrics like a continued downward trend in coronavirus cases, Sisolak said.
State health officials have counted at least 286 deaths statewide from the COVID-19 respiratory illness, with more than 5,700 people testing positive for the virus.
Virginia Valentine, president of the Nevada Resort Association, said casino operators "understand it is critical to take a measured approach that ensures the reopening of Nevada’s tourism industry is done strategically and correctly for the long-term health of our industry and its reputation."
Sisolak said the state had reached "gateway benchmarks" for the first phase of reopenings, including a downward trend in coronavirus cases and hospitalizations, enough hospital capacity to meet a surge in COVID-19 cases, expanded testing capacity and contact tracing, and the ability to protect vulnerable populations. He had originally set the initial reopenings for May 15.
Sisolak warned, however, that now is not the time to ease up on social distancing efforts and that people must remain vigilant in the face of a virus that is not going away until there is a vaccine to stop it.
"Social distancing is the best weapon we have against this disease," Sisolak said. "We are not done with this fight. We cannot put our gloves down now."
Nevada may be able to relax more rules at the end of May or may need to reimpose restrictions if the number of COVID-19 cases starts to balloon, Sisolak said.
Under the Phase 1 guidelines, restaurants, which have been limited to carry-out and delivery, can open for dine-in service with some restrictions, including operating at a maximum 50% capacity and tables spaced at least 6 feet apart.
Hair and nail salons can also open but by appointment only. Stylists must wear face coverings, and every other seat will be left vacant unless there are partitions separating the work areas.
Retail stores will be allowed to open at 50% capacity, as determined by fire code. Essential businesses such as grocery stores and pharmacies that were allowed to remain open without restrictions must also now operate at 50% capacity.
Marijuana dispensaries will also be allowed to resume in-store sales after submitting a plan to state regulators.
Social gatherings will remain limited to no more than 10 people, including any upcoming Mother's Day celebrations. “I love my mom too much to have dinner with her on Sunday. No good can come from that," Sisolak said.
Las Vegas Sun reporter John Sadler and the Associated Press contributed to this report.
