Thread by @GovSisolak

Our office communicated a lot of information to the public this evening, and I want to make sure all Nevadans got our message. Over the next hour, I will provide a detailed recap of everything we're doing to keep you safe, healthy, and informed:

First, I want to say how proud I am of Nevada's frontline heroes: our health care workers, our police, fire, and ambulance workers, and the thousands of State employees, like those working late to process unemployment claims, who are working so hard to help their fellow Nevadans.

I also have a message for our school employees, who I know are experiencing a lot of uncertainty right now: you will continue to work, as directed by your district, and you WILL continue to get paid.

For our students who rely on free and reduced food meal programs: those services WILL continue, and @NVAgriculture is working hard with @NevadaReady, school districts, charter schools, food banks, and community partners to cover gaps in meal service.

To ALL students: I grew up in Wisconsin where snow days were a time to goof off with friends.

That is not what this is. This is NOT an extended Spring Break.

We are closing schools, not just for your safety, but the safety of your neighbors & your family. 1/2

I know many of you have heard that young people are low risk, but you can still be exposed to COVID-19 & pass it on--to your mom, your dad, your grandparents. Those you love.

What you do over the next few weeks will directly affect your family’s health. I’m counting on you. 2/2

We are also putting in place measures to protect the health and safety of our state workforce, including issuing an emergency regulation to expand the authorization of paid administrative leave for state employees in a state of emergency. 1/3

And I am directing the closure of State offices to the public ASAP. For essential services (eg, unemployment ins, DMV, Medicaid, welfare, & others), in-person public services will be wound down & transitioned as much as possible to online & phone services in the coming days. 2/3

Lastly, we are instituting a hiring freeze & encouraging State agencies to limit spending to essential, emergency purchases. 3/3

Underlying these actions is an important precautionary act that has helped mitigate the spread of the virus in other states & around the world: social distancing. Our Health Response Advisory Team has been working around-the-clock to provide guidance on this & other measures. 1/2

With that in mind, I issued the following directives:

✅Employees who can work from home should do so

✅Ill employees must stay home

✅Businesses should protect employees who must work in-person in accordance with social distancing guidance appropriate for that workplace 2/4

✅Older people, those with health conditions, & other high-risk populations should stay at home & avoid unnecessary contact

✅To our faith leaders: I respectfully request that if you are unable to provide for social distancing protocols, you consider postponing services 3/4

✅ Local gov'ts should enforce 50% or less capacity of any public gathering space presently allowed by fire marshals

Fewer people in a room with a larger distance between them is the only way to decrease the risk of spread.

We will provide new guidance as it comes out. 4/4

I also strongly encouraged our gaming properties to consider closing to the public if they determine that is the best way to protect the safety & well-being of Nevadans & visitors. Those that do not close should comply with strict sanitation & social distancing guidelines.

Our gov't leaders are working overtime for the benefit of all Nevadans. That includes @DiversifyNevada Director @MJBofNev, who is overseeing response & preparation plans for employers & working with financial institutions & insurance companies to keep people in their homes.

After 1 October, Nevadans showed the Nation what it meant to stand together & put our neighbors before ourselves. Tonight, I asked my fellow Nevadans to do it with more commitment & compassion than ever before. We know what this will mean for our communities. 1/3

We will undoubtedly face hardship. There will be a loss of income. Families & individuals will be inconvenienced. I ask every Nevadan to call your neighbors and call and check on the elderly who may be alone and in need. 2/3

In the coming days, I will be consulting with legislative leaders & others to begin to address the financial implications of this crisis. I commit to keeping you informed as this evolves. Until then, take care of each other, & take care of yourselves. 3/3