Nevada Plans to Fully Reopen by Start of June: Governor

Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak speaks during a news conference on the state's response to the CCP virus outbreak at the Grant Sawyer State Office Building in Las Vegas, Nevada, on March 17, 2020. Ethan Miller/Getty Images

Nevada is setting a goal of reopening all its counties at 100 percent capacity by June 1, Gov. Steve Sisolak announced on April 13.

Currently, masks and social distancing are required statewide; Nevada rules also generally limit occupancy for businesses and gatherings at 50 percent.

Individual counties may opt to fully reopen earlier, since they are set to be granted control on May 1 over COVID-19 mitigation measures, Sisolak noted. County school districts will also be able to decide on mitigation measures.

“We are aware that some counties may make the decision to move to 100 percent capacity as early as May 1 when they gain the authority, and others may not,” the Democratic governor said at a press conference about the state’s actions regarding the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus.

“Each county in Nevada is unique, and two of seven have different factors to consider: rural or urban settings, community transmission rates in the area, and vaccine administration, among a few.”

The state government on May 1 will be removing the statewide required social distancing mandate—although counties may impose their own restrictions. However, the statewide mask mandate will remain until at least June 1, Sisolak noted. No counties will be able to override the mandate.

“Outside of getting vaccinated, it’s still the best tool we have to prevent the spread,” Sisolak said of the mask mandate.

“I wish I could give all Nevadans an exact timeline as to when we can tuck away our masks—but public health officials made it clear that in order to reach our goal of reopening on June 1, we must make sure Nevadans stay masked.”

Meanwhile, the Nevada Gaming Control Board will maintain supervision over gaming institutions—including casinos—throughout the state, Sisolak said. He didn’t specify whether the NGCB would allow reopening at full capacity by June 1.

Nevada on April 5 made all residents 16 and older eligible for CCP virus vaccines. Sisolak announced that as of April 13, 40 percent of people over the age of 16 in the Silver state “have started the vaccination process,” adding that about 25 percent are fully vaccinated.

He said that 65 percent of those aged 60 and over, and 75 percent of those aged 70 and older “have initiated or completed vaccination.”