Governor Sisolak announced on Wednesday he's extending Nevada's stay at home order through mid-May.
However, starting Friday some restrictions will be eased. This includes relaxing restrictions on outdoor activities, allowing for drive-in worship services and broadening curbside takeout options for restaurants, retail stores and marijuana dispensaries.
Sisolak discussed the initial decision on a pandemic special aired by ABC News on Wednesday.
The extension will be part of his Nevada United: Road Map to Recovery plan. He also says that reopening casinos will most likely be part three or four of the state's reopening plan.
As for why is extending the order, he said, "We just have not reached exactly where we want to get in the downward trajectory. Our statistics have plateaued."
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Each day Sisolak has released new details on how he is starting to reopen the state economy.
On Tuesday, Sisolak released a statement announcing that doctors and dentists may soon resume medical and dental procedures.
He said the Nevada Hospital Association will phase-in procedures while trying to minimize the risk of transmitting the coronavirus to patients and healthcare workers and maintain enough capacity in hospitals to handle any increase in COVID-19 cases.
Sisolak’s office said the state Department of Health and Human Services will release a memo to dentists describing a way to phase in dental services that help with acute infections or the progression of chronic disease.
On Monday he announced that Nevada, along with Colorado, is joining the Western States Pact that already includes Washington, Oregon and Washington. He says the pact shares a vision that puts science ahead of politics. He says it's important because millions of Westerners visit and vacation in Nevada every year.
He held a press conference on Thursday laying out some criteria for phase one of the 'Roadmap to Recovery.'
Governor Sisolak said the first criteria for phase one to begin includes a consistent downward trajectory of new cases and hospitalizations, smaller percentage of people testing positive and to make sure the healthcare system can sustain treatment.
He added expanded ability to test asymptomatic people for COVID-19 and sustained ability to protect vulnerable populations as criteria for phase one.
Gov. Sisolak said under phase one, public gatherings and social distancing measures will still be in place. He said malls, sporting events, concerts, bars and nightclubs will still be closed or prohibited and some businesses may reopen with restrictions.
He said gaming will not be opening in phase one.
"If you love Nevada, we'll do this together," Gov. Sisolak said, "I get where you're at."
He said officials will continue to gather data on the virus and the phases for reopening will be customizable for each county's needs.
"This virus doesn't know borders," Gov. Sisolak said.
Gov. Sisolak said there will be two or three week periods in each phase to reflect on the data and make sure there aren't any outbreaks or clusters. He said if there are, reopening can be paused.
He said the next 15 days will be our active transition to reopen the economy, but it will not be returning to normal, it will be a "new normal."
"You're doing a great job so far... We still have many challenges to face," Gov. Sisolak said, "I fully understand the impact of the tough decisions I've had to make."
Meanwhile, Douglas County Board of County Commissioners held a Special meeting on Wednesday regarding recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and economic impacts to local business in Douglas County. The Board decided unanimously to deliver a letter to Governor Sisolak in support of reopening Douglas County delivering it on Thursday, April 30th.
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