Nevada under new safety measures after surge of COVID-19 deaths and positivity rate

Governor Steve Sisolak announced a "at least a three-week statewide pause" to protect Nevadans from the pandemic due to a surge in positive cases and deaths. Starting Tuesday, November 24 at 12:01 a.m. there will be tighter business restrictions and a stricter mask mandate in the state of Nevada.

Many thought he would be calling for a shutdown in the state, but instead he chose the "pause" at this time. Sisolak said ten percent of all COVID-19 cases in Nevada since beginning of pandemic have been recorded in the last seven days.

In the state there were 2,155 new cases of COVID-19 and six deaths on Sunday, November 22. Washoe County set records over the last two days with 1,652 new cases and nine deaths. The state now has a 16.5 percent positivity rate. Every minute a Nevadan tests positive for the virus, the Governor said.

Sisolak said if these new actions aren't taken seriously he will intervene and take stronger actions including the shutdown of restaurants and bars.

"Please participate and do what is best for you and your family," said the Governor. "The light is at the end of tunnel."

The new restrictions to get "this wildfire under control":

- Masks must be worn at all times indoors and outdoors when not around members of their same household, and when not actively eating and drinking. "Masks ae an essential tool to fight COVID," the Governor said.

- Restaurants and bars are moving from 50 percent capacity to 25 percent occupancy for both indoor and outdoor dining. There is now a maximum of four patrons at a table, and there must be social distancing at countertops and bars. Businesses serving food must go to a reservation system and no more walk-in traffic. Masks must be worn unless a person is actively drinking or eating.

- Gyms, fitness centers, dance studios are moving from 50 percent to no more than 25 percent occupancy and must be under strict social distancing. Masks must be worn at all times.

- Casinos can be at a maximum of 25 percent occupancy and must go by the Gaming Control Board rules. Restaurants and bars inside a casino must also be at 25 percent occupancy.

- Museums, art galleries, libraries, arcades, bowling alleys, amusement and theme parks must move from 50 percent to 25 percent occupancy during the pause.

- Public gatherings had once been up to 250 people people but have been moved back to 50 people maximum, or 35 percent of fire code capacity, whichever is less.

- Retail stores with more than 50,000 square feet must now have employees at public entrances to manage capacity. Malls may stay open at the current 50 percent capacity.

- There is a pause on adult and youth sports tournaments.

- Recreation centers can remain at 50 percent capacity.

- The current safety standards will remain the same for hair salons, nail parlors, barber shops, and massage, tattoo and piercing businesses.

Private social gatherings are a significant source of spread inside a home, said Sisolak. He said ten people or fewer from no more than two households whether outside or inside. Face coverings required inside when around those from outside their household.

"I am not the mask police," said Sisolak. He said he hopes that the public will do what's right and do their part in preventing the spread of the virus.

Hospitals throughout the state are seeing record numbers of patients and filling up closer to capacity. Along with a bed shortage a staff shortage due to their quarantining is also starting to affect operations.

"They are quickly becoming overwhelmed," said Sisolak of the hospitals. "Let's save lives and protect the public health system."

He also raised concern that if COVID-19 patients fill the beds there won't be room for the normal hospital usage such as accident victims and other illnesses.

"The reality is this - its simple, COVID is filling up our hospital beds and all Nevadans would have limited access to health care," said Sisolak. "This cannot become our reality."

He said he understands the economical and emotional stress restrictions can pose, and that Nevada struggles with the economic aspect more than other states due to the lack of diversity in the economic. He encouraged people to use the curbside, online and to-go features of businesses.

Local governments and their health departments can enact stricter mandates.