Governor Sisolak Urges Nevadans Not To Have Large Gatherings On Labor Day Weekend

Sep 3, 2020
Sep 3, 2020 Updated Apr 6, 2022

Governor Sisolak Gives Update on Nevada COVID-19 Efforts

Governor Sisolak Reminds Nevadans to Follow Health Guidelines

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Governor Steve Sisolak held a press conference Thursday to provide an update on Nevada’s COVID-19 response efforts.

"Nevada is one of only 11 states with over 10% positivity. We must get that down. Our numbers are getting better, but in our high-risk counties, we still have work to do. We flattened the curve before. We reopened. We spiked. We can't repeat that. At this 6 month point, remember when we lift restrictions, we must do so responsibly. Our future economic recovery depends on it."

With the Labor Day holiday weekend coming up, officials are urging Nevadans to follow health guidelines such as social distancing, wearing face masks and washing your hands often.

The Washoe County Health District says the region is averaging about 60 new COVID-19 cases per day and through contract tracing we are seeing that transmission of the virus is still extensive. While the numbers are trending down due to people wearing masks and socially distancing, past holiday trends have shown that the numbers can spike quickly.

“We understand the importance of Labor Day and celebrating our American workers,” said District Health Officer Kevin Dick. “To support our workers, we need to have low levels of disease transmission, and we don’t have that right now. In order to have businesses open, and workers back to work to make a living to support their families, we need to be cautious with our gatherings this holiday weekend and celebrate safely and responsibly with members of our households.”

COVID-19 cases rose after previous holidays like Cinco de Mayo, Memorial Day and the Fourth of July. The Governor’s directive is for gatherings to be no more than 50, but Washoe County’s recommendation is to limit the number of people in a public gathering to 25 people or less, and to 10 people or less for private gatherings. For a situation like a Labor Day celebration, gatherings of fewer than 10 offer the best chance to reduce the spread of COVID-19.

"We need to focus on long term benefits to get this recovery right. It’ll be better. It’ll be more successful. I know it’s hard to imagine now, but it will," said Sisolak.

At the time of this writing, Nevada has recorded more than 70,220 positive cases of coronavirus and 1,363 deaths.

Gov. Sisolak last held a press conference on Monday where he extended the eviction moratorium.