Casinos throughout Nevada are now closed as a nonessential business under the orders of Gov. Steve Sisolak. He's also urged people to go home and stay there to help contain the spread of the coronavirus.

During a public address on Tuesday, he said all non-essential businesses are directed to close for the next 30 days.

He also ordered all casino gaming to be shut down at midnight on Wednesday. All casinos are ordered to close by then, and all casino gaming equipment must be turned off by midnight.

Officials said this includes Eldorado Resort Casino, Silver Legacy Resort Casino, Circus Circus Hotel Casino Reno, Tropicana Laughlin Hotel and Casino, Harrah's and Harveys Lake Tahoe and Reno and Montbleu Resort Casino and Spa Lake Tahoe.

The Grand Sierra Resort and Casino will be closing at 10 p.m. on Tuesday. All guests will need to vacate by Thursday.

Gov. Sisolak said mitigation efforts are to take effect at noon on Wednesday.

He ordered all gyms and malls to close as well. 

You can read his full statement below. After his press conference, the Nevada Health Response Center released its COVID-19 risk mitigation initiative. The document goes into further detail on specific essential and non-essential businesses. That list is at the bottom of this story.

In addition to the guidance provided in the attachment, the Nevada Department of Business and Industry has now posted guidance to the construction, mining, and manufacturing industries on strong protocols for social distancing on job sites and at facilities. As with all Initiative parameters related to the COVID-19 crisis, the Nevada Health Response Center and health authorities will revisit this guidance on a regular basis to evaluate the continued public health needs and whether any elements need to be changed.

 

  • All Nevadans must ensure that 6 feet of social distancing per person for non-family members is maintained.  All Nevadans must ensure that 6 feet of social distancing per person for non-family members is maintained.  
  • Only essential services should remain open -- such as fire, police, transit, and health care services, in addition to businesses that provide food, shelter, or social services for disadvantaged populations. 
  • Non-essential services such as beauty shops, barber shops, and nail, tanning, and waxing salons should close until further notice. 
  • Only essential businesses should remain open such as, pharmacies, grocery stores, drug and convenience stores, banks and financial institutions, hardware stores, and gas stations. I am asking grocery stores consider special hours for the vulnerable populations
  • All gatherings should be postponed or canceled. This is not the time for sleepovers, playdates, concerts, theater outings, or athletic events. 
  • Although you may not be experiencing symptoms at this time, you may be contagious. Do not risk your own heath or the health of others. 
  • Many of you will not be in your office or at work over the next few weeks.  This is not a vacation and it’s not the time to catch up with friends. It’s definitely not the time to go to the movies. 
  • Every social contact increases your risk of exposure. The bigger the group, the higher your risk. This means that you should stay away from auditoriums, stadiums, arenas, large conference rooms, meeting halls, and cafeterias.
  • I know in times of stress, many of you seek the release that comes from exercise.  But this is not the time for you to be in a gym, healthclub, or fitness center. Until the risk goes away, find other ways to exercise such as home workouts, hikes, or other outdoor activities.  But as you do so, remember to maintain social distancing from others doing the same.  
  • Some events are unavoidable.  We still want you to experience the joy of weddings, but this is not the time to bring your friends together -- especially if this will require travel.  Consider postponing the celebration to a time when the risk is low or eliminated.  
  • For my friends making preparations to say goodbye to loved ones, please limit the attendance at funeral services.  Consider outdoor services where the risk of exposure is less than inside 
  • This is only common sense.  In a time where people are getting sick from simply being near others, this is not the time for gyms to remain open.  This is not the time for casinos to remain open. This is not a time for community recreation centers, clubhouses, movie theaters and malls to remain open. 
  • If your business brings groups of people together, it should not be open.
  • Although I cannot and will not say that places of worship should be closed, I strongly urge our faith leaders to find ways to deliver to your congregation without bringing them together in person.
  • Charitable food distribution sites, including the meals being distributed to our students in wake of the school closings, along with grocery stores should remain fully open and operational.
  • Food services for healthcare facilities and other essential facilities should remain open. Any buffet or food stations used in charitable food distribution settings should transition to boxed meals or served through gloved staff members or volunteers.
  • Restaurants throughout Nevada, in addition to pubs, wineries, bars, and breweries that include meals provided by a full kitchen should be reduced to serving food only in a drive-thru, take-out or delivery capacity. No dine-in at food establishments should be allowed until further notice.
  • This also includes food courts, coffee shops, catered events, clubs, bowling alleys, and other similar venues in which people congregate for the consumption of food or beverages. 
  • Pubs, wineries, bars, and breweries that do not include meals provided by a full kitchen must close. 
    To summarize: I am telling nonessential businesses you have two choices: 1. Find a way to service your customers through delivery, drive through, curbside pickup or front door pickup, or 2. close your doors. 

The Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) has closed its field offices statewide and its call center effective as of 5 p.m.

Officials with the DMV urged residents to utilize its online services until further notice. It says it is working on ways to provide relief. There are both legal and technical issues to resolve. 

"We understand the frustration of our customers who are unable to complete in-person transactions. Our offices are closed for the safety of the public and the staff."

“We know many of our customers are facing deadlines to obtain a driver’s license, vehicle registration or other time-sensitive documents, but the health and safety of our communities must come first,” said Director Julie Butler. “We will be releasing further guidance for customers as soon as possible.”

The Reno Police Department tweeted that police patrols in the Reno area will be increased to protect businesses during this time.

The City of Reno said it has no desire to take enforcement action on businesses, however, they City can enforce the Governor's order through multiple actions, including:

- Citations up to $1,000 per day

- Misdemeanor citations

- Summary suspension of a business license

- Revocation of a business license

Officials with Mustang Ranch say it will temporarily halt business beginning at 7 a.m. on Thursday, March 19.

They said "The health and safety of the women that work at the Mustang Ranch and our guests remains our foremost priority and we will work with local and state government to evaluate the need to close the Mustang Ranch for the full 30 days and make announcements regarding continued operations in the near future."

Officials with the Department of Taxation say licensed cannabis retail stores and medical dispensaries will be required to shut down all public store fronts by midnight on Friday.

They said legal cannabis sales with continue but by delivery only. Curbside pickup with not be permitted.

They said the Marijuana Enforcement Division has implemented a new virtual delivery vehicle inspection procedure to allow cannabis licensees to meet any increase in market demand for delivery.

Officials said cultivation facilities, production facilities, distributors and independent testing facilities will be allowed to continue operations while following strict social distancing guidelines as part of the necessary cannabis supply chain operations.