Nevada governor orders statewide closure of non-essential businesses, including casinos, following in footsteps of other states

UPDATE: The press conference is available by going here.
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Gov. Steve Sisolak on Tuesday ordered a sweeping shutdown of nonessential businesses, including casinos and retail stores, for 30 days, a move that would have been unthinkable weeks ago before the novel coronavirus wreaked its havoc around the world.

Nonessential businesses that will be forced to close include restaurants, bars, pubs, wineries, breweries, coffee shops, gyms, shopping malls and salons, though restaurants will still be able to offer drive-through, curbside takeout and delivery services to their customers. Essential businesses that can remain open include grocery stores, pharmacies, drug and convenience stores, banks and financial institutions, hardware stores, truck stops and truck service centers, daycares, businesses that provide services to disadvantaged populations and gas stations, as well as police, fire, transit and health care services.

And, for the first time in the state’s history, all gaming operations — including gaming machines, devices, table games and any other equipment related to gaming activity — will be required to cease by midnight. All other nonessential businesses must shutter their operations by noon Wednesday.

The governor, at times forceful and emotional, pleaded with Nevadans to place saving lives above their normal professional or recreational activities, warning against sleepovers, playdates, theatre outings or athletic events. During a press conference, he stood in front of a sign that said “Stay home for Nevada” over the state’s slogan “Home means Nevada,” with the “stay” added and “means” crossed out.

“We absolutely must take this step for every Nevadan’s health and safety,” he said. “Please. Please take this seriously. Lives are at stake, and each day passing, this pandemic is growing. Please stay home for Nevada.”

Sisolak did not specify exactly how the state would enforce the closures, saying instead that he believed Nevadans would “understand how serious this is” and that they would heed the advice of medical professionals both in the U.S. and abroad.

The governor said that he spoke with the chief medical officers of all of Nevada’s hospitals in reaching his decision and was advised that a 30-day cessation of all non-essential business was the best course of action to stem the tide of the virus. Public health experts around the world have been cautioning that placing stringent restrictions on daily life is the only way to slow the spread of the disease and give hospitals a fighting chance to treat those patients who fall most seriously ill.

A total of 55 people in the state have tested positive for COVID-19, with one death. Nationwide, the number of confirmed cases is more than 5,700, though the total number is likely higher due to a lack of widespread testing.

“My ultimate goal here is to come together as Nevadans to save life. That requires aggressive strategies aimed at mitigating community spread medical professionals have made it abundantly clear that there is no treatment,” Sisolak said. “While the vaccine is being developed, we don’t have time to waste. At this time we must act aggressively and decisively to protect ourselves, our families in our community.”

The move comes two days after Sisolak temporarily shut down schools, closed state offices, encouraged employees to work from home and limited the size of public gatherings. Already, several major casino resort companies had already decided to temporarily shutter operations until April, including MGM Resorts, The Cosmopolitan, Wynn Resorts and the Las Vegas Sands.

On Tuesday, the Nevada Gaming Control Board issued a 7-page policy memorandum with instructions and an official procedure for licensed gaming operators to temporarily close. The board asked that any licensee that is required to temporarily close give the board at least 48 hours notice, and transmit a temporary closure plan to gaming regulators within 24 hours of closing.

Sisolak didn’t gloss over the economic fallout that will follow this unprecedented shutdown.

“We know that more will need to be done when the coronavirus pandemic has passed to get our economy back on its feet and people traveling again,” he said. “In the meantime, I hope Congress will support direct cash payments to people of all walks of life, so that families can keep putting food on the table, paying their rent and keeping their lives together.”

But he called on local businesses that remain open to hire laid-off workers in roles such as delivery drivers, call-center attendants or grocery employees. The governor also encouraged those who have lost their jobs to file for unemployment online with the Nevada Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation.

The governor did not address the possibility that gaming companies would seek some form of a government bailout, not unlike those being sought by the airline and restaurant industries nationally.

Sisolak additionally urged people to limit their attendance at usual gatherings, such as weddings and funerals. He urged people to postpone wedding celebrations to a time when the risk of coronavirus is low or limited and asked funerals to be held outside, where there is less potential for exposure to a virus than in a confined space.

He added that he would not tell places of worship that they should close, though he strongly encouraged faith leaders to serve their congregations without bringing them together in person.

Sisolak also issued a strong rebuke for anyone not grasping the magnitude of the health crisis.

“As governor of the state of Nevada, it is my responsibility to protect the health and well-being of every person in the state,” he said. “And this is serious. If somebody doesn’t understand the seriousness of this, turn on the news and watch it for a little bit.”

As of Tuesday morning, governors in at least twelve states — Florida, North Carolina, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, California, Ohio, Illinois, Massachusetts,Michigan, Pennsylvania and Washington — have ordered the closure of bars, restaurants and wineries in their states to stem the spread of the virus.

It follows nationwide lockdowns across Europe, including France, Spain and Italy — so far the countries hardest hit by the virus outside China.

— This story was produced by Nevada Independent reporters Megan Messerly, Riley Snyder and Jackie Valley. The story was used by permission of The Nevada Independent. Go here for updates to this and other developing stories.