Douglas County Commissioners approve reopening plan

DOUGLAS COUNTY, Nev. - They don't agree with Gov. Sisolak's handling of the pandemic, nor rules about masks and businesses, but the Douglas County Board of County Commissioners approved a COVID-19 reopening plan during their meeting April 15, 2021.

They begrudgingly passed a proposed reopening plan and will be submitting it to the Nevada COVID Task Force, where it is scheduled to be reviewed on Thursday, April 22. A plan was required from each county that wanted to take back control of reopening starting May 1 but still following statewide mandates including mask requirements. If reopening plans are not approved those counties wait until June 1 to reopen.

"We have a plan that opens up Douglas County 100 percent," said Commissioner Danny Tarkanian about being thrilled they can reopen. "I don’t agree with the mask [requirement], I don’t endorse it, but it allows everything to open up."

The statewide social distancing mandate will be removed on May 1 and social distancing will transition to local authority.

Douglas County will limit the size of public gatherings and events, as well as youth and adult recreational sports, to 250 maximum people through June 30, 2021 and will continue to follow the State’s guidance and planning process for both.

Douglas County was the first county to hand deliver a letter to Governor’s office to on record resisting governor back on April 30, 2020. At the time there had been no COVID-19 related deaths and 44 cases so they wanted to reopen against health department and governor guidance. Since that date another 2,743 residents have tested positive for COVID-19 and 35 have died from.

The reopening plan titled, “Moving Forward – Douglas County’s Plan for COVID-19 Recovery” outlines how Douglas County is opening within the guidelines of the State’s Emergency Directives. A full version of the plan can be found on the Douglas County website HERE, and the complete agenda item HERE.

If approved by the State COVID Task Force, the plan becomes effective on May 1, 2021. Action from the County Commission clears the path for resumption of 100 percent occupancy for businesses and other activities unless they are governed by a licensing board such as the Nevada Gaming Control Board or the Nevada State Board of Cosmetology. Events, and large gatherings will not require local government approval of COVID plans.

The commissioners said there will be no change in the current enforcement measures by the County.

During the meeting the commissioners said even though they don't agree with the required rules including abiding by any mask mandate, they approved the reopening plan and acknowledged they hadn't been enforcing masks anyway. They agreed they want to get things opened fully and an approved plan was necessary.

"Douglas County will continue to participate with the other Quad Counties to support Carson City Health and Human Services public health efforts including testing, vaccinations, and public information," the County said in a press release.

“Douglas County will continue to push for reopening of our businesses within the limits of the law,” said Douglas County Manager Patrick Cates. “During the transition to local control, it is important to note the State directive on masks will continue to be enforced in businesses by OSHA and other state boards and can be cited and fined for non-compliance. This is not coming from Douglas County. We ask all residents to be mindful of the impact on our businesses for ignoring this directive.”

The Board of County Commissioners also approved a resolution calling upon the Nevada Legislature to exercise their authority to limit the power of the Governor to declare a state of emergency without legislative oversight. The intent is to change Nevada law so that no Governor in the future can exercise broad emergency powers for an extended time period as seen with Governor Sisolak’s COVID-19 declaration of emergency.