Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak says he’s extending the closure of schools until the end of the school year and is not close to relaxing restrictions aimed to stop the spread of the coronavirus.
The Democratic governor and state experts said Tuesday that Nevada would need to see at least two weeks of consistent drops in the rate of COVID-19 cases and deaths before easing any business closures or stay-at-home rules.
The governor did not have a date for when that might occur and said it was also too soon to say if schools would remain closed for the new school year in the fall.
He said before we can move onto phase one as set forward by the federal government, Nevada's most vulnerable populations must be protected and the health care system must be able to handle responding to the virus.
He said during phase one, social distancing guidelines will still be in place such as maintaining six feet apart, not gathering in groups of ten or more and frequent hand washing. He said bars will remain closed and things like elective surgeries, restaurants, gyms, movie theaters, places of worship and sporting events will be given guidelines as we move closer to phase one.
Gov. Sisolak said we cannot move into phase one until we see a decrease in confirmed COVID-19 and decrease hospitalizations.
You can watch the full presser below:
Governor Steve Sisolak has scheduled a 5 p.m. press conference on Tuesday to discuss possible steps to reopening the state.
Governor Sisolak will be joined by a team of experts to lay out the state’s criteria.
2 News will carry his press conference live.
Hundreds of people protested at the State Capitol in Carson City on Saturday, demanding that Governor Sisolak reopen the state’s economy and lift a stay-at-home order that he imposed to stop the spread of coronavirus outbreak.
News media video showed protesters parading on a sidewalk carried U.S. flags and signs displaying messages such as “Open Nevada” and “Stop the Tyranny.” Meanwhile, others in cars honked the vehicle’s horns.
Meanwhile, a handful of other states are planning to reopen some businesses despite concern that officials are easing restrictions too soon.
Georgia, Tennessee, South Carolina and Alaska are making plans to reopen as soon as later this week.
"We have asked every governor to follow the guidelines, just as we have asked every American to follow the guidelines put out by the president,” says Dr. Deborah Birx, White House Coronavirus Task Force.
Governor Sisolak ordered all non-essential businesses, including casinos to shut down in mid-March.
