Today, I took the necessary steps to date to try to mitigate this pandemic & keep our community safe. Medical experts have advised that the most effective course of action is to direct all Nevadans to stay home & for all nonessential businesses to close to the public for 30 days.
In order for those who will need critical care to be able to receive it, we need to do our part to stay healthy & keep our facilities available for those patients. It is our duty to the most vulnerable to take our role in stopping the spread seriously & to #StayHomeforNevada.
Only essential services should remain open, such as fire, police, transit, & health care services, in addition to businesses that provide food, shelter, or social services for disadvantaged populations.
Non-essential services like beauty & barber shops, & nail, tanning, & waxing salons should close until further notice. Only essential businesses should remain open, such as pharmacies, grocery & drug stores, banks & financial institutions, hardware stores, & gas stations.
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.
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 & it’s not the time to catch up with friends. The bigger the group, the higher your risk. This means that you should stay away from auditoriums, stadiums, gyms, arenas, & cafeterias.
Restaurants throughout NV, in addition to wineries, bars, & 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.
To summarize: I am telling nonessential businesses you have two choices:
(1) Find a way to service your customers through delivery, drive through, or curbside or front door pickup, OR
2) Close your doors
These Risk Mitigation measures will be fully effective at noon tomorrow.
(1) Find a way to service your customers through delivery, drive through, or curbside or front door pickup, OR
2) Close your doors
These Risk Mitigation measures will be fully effective at noon tomorrow.
In consultation with Gaming Control Board Chair Sandra Douglass-Morgan, I announced that all gaming machines, devices, tables, games, & equipment will be shut down effective at midnight. Restaurants & bars located within gaming properties will be subject to the same restrictions.
We will ensure that there is as little disruption as possible to transportation & the supply chain in Nevada during this time. Truck stops and truck service centers will remain open so that motor carriers will be able to deliver supplies as needed.
I know there will be some who don’t agree with this decision. Some will think this is an overreaction. I want you to know, I have spent countless hours working with medical experts, the White House, the CDC, & labor & industry leaders, & I fully believe that this is appropriate.
We know that more will need to be done at the federal level in addition to the Families First Act to get our economy back on its feet. In the meantime, I hope Congress will support direct cash grants to people of all walks of life so that families can buy basic necessities.
I ask all our businesses who must remain open to consider hiring those who will be out of work for the next few weeks. Delivery services will need drivers. Call centers need people to handle increased volume. Stores need people to restock shelves.
I know this directive will cause distress for many of us. But I ask you – what are you willing to do to save your own life and the lives of those you love? We absolutely must take this step for every Nevadan’s health and safety. Please – take this seriously. #StayHomeforNevada
Let’s show the rest of the world our spirit, our sense of community, and our resolve to help each other and overcome obstacles in the most difficult times. We are strong and resilient. We will get through this.
Please note that this is likely my last press conference in person to protect my staff & members of the media. We will continue to update all of our Nevadans through other methods, incl. videos, emails and at the dedicated Nevada Health Response website: nvhealthresponse.nv.gov.
