All articles in this COVID-19 Response Resource issue are effective as of March 30, 2020.
Nevada – Statewide
Following the March 12, 2020, emergency declaration in response to the growing COVID-19 pandemic, on March 15, 2020, the state of Nevada ordered the closure of all K-12 schools, with the exception of day care centers and home-based childcare. A proposed reopen date of April 6, was included in the directive, but now does not seem likely. As of April 1, students are being asked to retrieve packets of assignments from their school or receive them remotely by computer for use in a home-schooling. The original duration of the requirement was proposed to terminate April 15, but it is now thought to run through April 30. The requirement may become indefinite or last for the duration of the pandemic.
Governor Steve Sisolak issued a directive on March 17, 2020, that beginning on the last minute of March 17, all gaming establishments and any equipment related to gaming would suspend operations until at least April 16, 2020, or perhaps longer. An exception to complete closure of a casino’s premises was made for those gaming establishments with hotel accommodations, or as to essential or emergency purposes.
The State’s most sweeping directive came on March 20, 2020, when it was ordered that all “non-essential” businesses must close by the end of the day across the state. Essential businesses and others allowed to remain open, generally, were defined as those necessary to the provision of healthcare, veterinary services, grocery stores, pharmacies, financial institutions, hardware stores, convenience stores, security services, gas stations, cannabis dispensaries, construction, mining, infrastructure sector labor, farming and any other similar business not defined as non-essential, which are able to provide services or goods in a delivery or curbside pick-up capacity. Restaurants and bars with food menus or other purveyors of goods that are able to provide curbside pick-up or delivery remain open for business. Legal services are also specifically declared essential in the resulting regulation. All essential services are also directed to comply with social distancing guidelines and other sanitation recommendations provided by the CDC’s strategies for COVID-19 mitigation.
All other businesses not falling under that wide umbrella, and especially those of a chiefly recreational focus or where large groups naturally gather are ordered closed, as are Department of Motor Vehicle facilities and other government buildings (to the public).
While no official “shelter-in-place” directive has yet as of today been issued by the State, Governor Sisolak has held a press conference and issued multiple statements asking Nevadans to “Stay Home for Nevada,” an initiative promoting staying at home except for only the most brief and necessary excursions into public, specifically to work in an essential business, to procure food or to seek urgent medical attention. This is reflected in one of the Governor’s most recent directives, where it is ordered that the general public shall not gather in groups of 10 or more, except within households wherein 10 people or more actually live together, or those patronizing essential businesses. Further, it is ordered that in those allowed situations, all persons must (to the extent practicable) exercise the social distancing recommendations of the CDC described in that organization’s mitigation recommendations. An exception is also created therein prohibiting enforcement against the homeless.
Las Vegas/Clark County
Clark County has limited their government services to only essential services and has closed all parks, recreation facilities, etc. as well as all County buildings. The City of Las Vegas has closed all playgrounds, but parks remain open, subject to the 10-person limitation from the State. Clark County has recently suspended the business licenses of 14 Las Vegas businesses for defying the State shutdown order. Clark County and the City of Las Vegas have arranged for a special temporary liquor sales license for those selling beverages with food being picked up curbside. Clark County hospitals and health care providers are using temporary quarantine orders (14 days at home) for patients showing symptoms of COVID-19, who are presumed positive after initial testing.
As of today, no official “shelter-in-place” order is in effect, however, as at the state level, local governments are making very serious efforts to spread the word about the importance of social distancing and echoing the Governor’s “Stay Home for Nevada” initiative.
Reno/Washoe County
Measures similar to those being taken in Las Vegas are being taken in the greater Reno area, also with no specific shelter-in-place order but given a very stern and serious adoption of the statewide “Stay Home for Nevada” effort.
For questions about this or other COVID-19 related matters, contact Zachary S. Shea by calling (775) 789-6556.
