Thread by @RileySnyder

Here's a link to @GovSisolak's 5 p.m. press conference, where he will provide an "update on Phase 2 of the Nevada United: Roadmap to Recovery Plan." I'll be live-tweeting his remarks & @MichelleRindels
is covering in person nvleg.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.ph…

Sisolak is joined by COVID-19 Response Director Caleb Cage & DHHS administrator Julie Peek, who is leading contact tracing efforts

Sisolak:
Recently we've experienced some trends that require additional evaluation and analysis. This includes an upward trend in the number of new daily cases in the last three weeks

Sisolak: Consistent increase in COVID hospitalizations since June 5. Hospital association says we're still in plateau phase

Sisolak: We are taking this seriously. As we have all along we'll allow our medical experts time to monitor and make assessment. Says state must remain "flexible" at all times, maintain ability to track warning signs of virus

Sisolak says Phase 2 directive extended to June 30th, to give state enough time to assess data. Friday is 2-week anniversary of Phase 2 start

Sisolak: Before expanding our reopening and entering a Phase Three, we will continue to allow ourselves the time to evaluate this new medical information.
"As I said before, the virus is what drives the timeline."

Sisolak says state needs to allow expanded contract tracing time to work. Says state tripled capacity for contact tracing this weekend

Sisolak: Across the country, states know that re-opening at any pace comes with a risk of community spread and increased cases. Nevada is no different.

Sisolak reminds local leaders that they have ability to implement stricter standards than state if they feel it's in their best interest to reduce cases.
"I will stand by and support each locality that makes a decision to tighten restrictions and keep residents healthy."

Asked by @DentzerNews for clarity, @GovSisolak says "we are not ready to go into Phase 3."

.@MichelleRindels asks about mask/facial covering requirements:

"We are looking at any options that become available." - may look at requiring them for certain business types/events/locations. Sisolak says gaming companies going out of their way to get customers to wear masks

@GovSisolak says state will have another announcement on state's current eviction moratorium before June 30th. No other details

Sisolak: I don't want to go there if we don't have to. I'm encouraging people to voluntarily wear masks...We're not in a post-COVID era. We're in the middle of a COVID-19 pandemic, we're right dead smack in the middle of it."

Sisolak asked about state's interest in protecting vulnerable populations amid many deaths in Washoe nursing homes.

Caleb Cage, state's COVID-19 response director, says feds/states working on testing/PPE/license and regulatory standpoint

.@GovSisolak asked about state's budget shortfall & solution.

Sisolak says state's cuts are "severe" but "we did the best we possibly could."

Adds there WILL be a special session this fiscal year #nvleg

.@GovSisolak asked about Black Lives Matter protests & people not wearing masks/compares to limitations on church attendance.

Sisolak: The protests are a big concern. I support everyone's ability and right to protest...it troubles me when I don't see people wearing masks.

Asked by @MichelleRindels if he's ruling out raising taxes in upcoming #nvleg session, @GovSisolak doesn't give a solid answer and says the "Legislature is going to have an awful lot to do with that."

Says's it's difficult to "even think about" raising taxes w/ ppl out of work

Sisolak says it's hard for him to give a solid "NO" on raising taxes in special session, says we closed casinos about 70 days ago and it feels like 5 years ago, so things can change rapidly

Sisolak says he trusts @LVMPD to conduct internal investigation into arrest of legal observers over weekend in Las Vegas at protests.

Final question is about municipalities in Clark County not getting fair share of CARES Act money. North Las Vegas City Councilwoman complained during Friday IFC meeting that city did not get fair share, while rural counties got $$$

Sisolak says the upcoming special session will be in-person in Carson City