Thread by @GovSisolak

Good afternoon, I wanted to provide some updates for Nevadans as it relates to three requests I made to my Medical Advisory Team. You can follow along my live press conference through @ClarkCountyNV’s YouTube stream here:

Before I provide those updates, I wanted to take a moment to share some encouraging news.

Nevada administered 1,210 doses per 100,000 people last week, 19.3% higher than the national average. Let’s keep it up!

NV administered 1,210 doses per 100,000 people last week, 19.3% higher than the national avg. NV was also first to reinstate indoor masking in areas of substantial & high transmission regardless of vaccination status & we are now seeing a slowing of #COVID19 growth in our State.

In fact, Nevada has had the second slowest #COVID19 growth in the nation over the past two weeks at 15%, compared to the national average of 118%.

As you may remember, a little more than a week and a half ago, I spoke about three areas the state is working on to help us manage this pandemic and get shots in arms.

First, I asked the medical advisors to look at vaccination requirements for all students attending in-person classes at our public colleges and universities under @NSHE.

The MAT agreed with the unanimous recommendation from the @NSHE #COVID19 Task Force to require vaccinations for students and while originally on the agenda for Sept. 3, the Board of Health has called an emergency meeting to discuss this topic at the end of this week.

To all the higher-ed students out there, if you have not yet done so, I want to encourage all those who plan to return to in-person learning to get your COVID-19 vaccination BEFORE returning to campus.

Additionally, I asked medical advisors for a vaccination recommendation regarding those who work with vulnerable populations.

These recommendations will help guide conversations and actions we can take moving forward and we are currently working with officials and partners to determine next steps. We will provide updates as we continue to explore policy options.

The final topic I discussed at my last press conference and the one I will be discussing more in detail today, was related to how we make large gatherings safer in Nevada.

As we all know, Nevada is an incredible location for concerts, sporting events and so much more – in fact, I would argue we are the best. That’s great for residents and visitors, but can pose challenges during a pandemic.

That’s why, public health officials have been working with event operators and partners to come up with options for hosting safer large events.

The first option is to continue following the current mark requirement that states that all persons in counties with “substantial” or “high” community transmission rates are required to wear face coverings while in public indoor spaces regardless of vaccination status.

The second option, which becomes effective with new Directive 049, provides a masking exception for large event operators that choose to require proof of vaccination for all attendees.

If a large event venue chooses to require vaccination proof for all attendees, those that are FULLY vaccinated will be allowed to take their masks off. Partially vaccinated attendees may still attend, but they must wear their mask at the event.

Additionally, children who are NOT eligible for vaccination due to their age may attend the event but MUST wear a mask.

In order to be eligible for this masking exception for fully vaccinated individuals at indoor large events, the following requirements must be met:

- The venue must have fixed seating capacity of 4,000 or more;

- The event must require tickets or registration and be open only to those who have tickets or are registered;

- The event operator MUST maintain access control that effectively prevents un-ticketed or unauthorized persons from entering.

Event operators MUST implement a method of verifying vaccination status that is accurate, effective and reliable. Staff must be sufficient in number and adequately trained to implement the system.

And again, event operators may choose to admit attendees who are only partially vaccinated but those attendees MUST continue to wear a mask during the event.

Event operators MUST have a system to distinguish attendees who are fully vaccinated from those who are only partially vaccinated and MUST enforce the mask requirement for all attendees who are not fully vaccinated during the event.

If someone fails to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination, they MUST NOT be admitted.

This gives an option for event organizers to choose between requiring masks indoors for all attendees, regardless of vaccination status, or making the choice to only allow vaccinated individuals into their event, and letting the fully-vaccinated take their masks off.

I want to be clear: this is not a requirement to show proof of vaccination to attend a large event. This is not a mandate -- It is an optional exception to the general mask requirement if the event operator chooses to require proof of vaccination for all attendees.

We’re giving our private sector partners the choices and flexibility to lead in this area – and I’m so proud that many have already been leading.

My goal with today’s new policy choice is to provide the private sector more options that come with a reward for the public -- the ability to take off their mask during a concert or game if they’re fully vaccinated.

Again, at this time, this directive applies to large, ticketed gatherings and venues with fixed seating over 4,000 or more, and locations, where venue and event operations can effectively control access to the event to make sure tickets or registration, is adequately verified.

As has been the case since the start of the pandemic, a private entity or local government can always implement stronger mitigation strategies.

To the smaller venues and businesses out there who are interested in having this option available to them, I want to make sure you know that I share that goal.

As we implement this policy for our largest venues, please know we will be working to expand this option to every venue and business in the State. We will be reaching out to our chambers of commerce & other partners to make sure we get this right as we work to expand.

The Emergency Directive and more guidance will be released this evening.

Thank you all for being here. I want to remind Nevadans that it’s easier than ever to get vaccinated against #COVID19. The vaccines are free, safe, and effective. Visit nvcovidfighter.org to find a clinic near you – Thank you!