Difference in COVID-19 restrictions at the state line to grow starting February 15

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Throughout the pandemic the rules on the California and Nevada sides of the state line in Lake Tahoe have been very different. Even though health officers in the different counties around the lake communicated and shared information and stressed for continuity, state leadership had different ways to address the health and safety situation created by the coronavirus.

It has been almost one year since COVID-related closures and restrictions began in the country.

On Thursday evening, Nevada Governor Steve Sisolak announced the removal of the "pause" he put on reopening plans in the state to slow the virus’ deadly resurgence after the Thanksgiving to New Year's Day holiday period.

Cases have been dropping in both states. To date there have been over 287,000 cases of COVID-19 in Nevada with 4,639 deaths. In California, there have been 3.46M cases and 45,736 deaths.

Updated Nevada COVID-19 restrictions:

Starting February 15, the following businesses can move from 25 percent to 35 percent occupancy:

Gaming floors
Places of worship
Gyms
Fitness studios
Yoga studios
Martial arts studios
Arcades
Racetracks
Bowling alleys
Pool halls
Restaurants - Indoor dining at restaurants and bars will be capped at 35 percent capacity – but outdoor dining will no have a capacity limit. Reservations will no longer be required. The number of patrons allowed at a table will move from 4 to 6.

Gatherings can now increase to no more than 100 people, or 35 percent, whichever is least.

The following businesses can move to 50 percent occupancy:

Museums
Libraries
Art galleries
Zoos
Aquariums

Starting March 15, the following changes will begin:

All of the businesses approved above to move to 35 percent occupancy can now go to 50 percent.

Large gatherings will be limited to no more than 250 people, or 50 percent of the first code, whichever is least with strict social distancing requirements.

Night clubs and adult entertainment operations will remain closed until at least May 1.

From now until May 1, retail stores, indoor malls and community recreational centers will remain at 50 percent.

The governor will transition most of the directives to local authorities on May 1, 2021. Those meant to mitigate the spread and staying in place will be mask and social distancing protocols.

South Lake Tahoe, California remains in the purple tier of the state's COVID reopening plan along with 99.8 percent of the counties in the state. To move to the red, less restrictive tier, the adjusted case rate must be 7 for two consecutive weeks. As of Thursday, the ate is 11.3. The rate is the 7-day average of daily COVID-19 cases per 100,000 residents with 7-day lag, adjusted for number of tests performed.

At this time, the California restaurants are open for outdoor or to-go dining only, museums, and bowling alleys are closed. Bars and breweries are closed unless they sell food, then they can be open outdoors. Gyms are open outdoors only, hotels and salons are open with modifications. Retail capacity must be limited to 25 percent and grocery store capacity must be limited to 50 percent.

The difference of rules on the sides of the state line have been a point of frustration for everyone unable to reopen yet the same type of business across the street in another can be open.