Carson City releases plans to reopen, so long as social distancing can be met
Submitted by Kelsey Penrose on Tue, 04/20/2021 - 12:45pm
Carson City has prepared a transition plan for reopening in a safe and monitored way throughout 2021 which includes stipulations for schools, indoor and outdoor events, casinos, and more.
The plan is as follows:
Monitoring
Over the next several months and following the transition to local government, the City will continue to monitor the State's County Tracker to ensure the City stays within acceptable ranges. Testing and contact tracing efforts will continue. In addition, the City will monitor hospital capacity.
Long term facilities and group homes are performing their own testing; however, Carson City Health and Human Services (CCHHS) will continue to investigate positive cases. Carson City Jail and Juvenile Detention have protocols in place and CCHHS will continue to assist, if needed, and will investigate positive cases.
CCHHS will continue to partner with Friends in Service Helping (FISH) to assist any homeless individuals who test positive to find a place to quarantine. CCHHS will continue to work closely with Carson City School District and private schools regarding positive cases and will provide assistance as needed.
The City has procured a surplus of PPE and sanitation supplies both for City Departments and local businesses free of charge. The City will coordinate with the Nevada Division of Emergency Management to obtain additional supplies from their surplus. With receipt of the new American Rescue Plan funding, the City will continue to purchase PPE and sanitation supplies for distribution, if needed.
Mitigation Measures
Following the May 1st transition, Carson City will work towards re-opening up to 100 percent provided social distancing requirements can be met. The City has prepared an occupancy and requirements matrix for industries and activities.
All businesses and events will be required to follow the Governor's directives which remain in place regarding wearing face masks, social distancing and hygiene considerations. Carson City will limit the size of gatherings and events, as well as youth and adult recreational sports, to 250 maximum people through May 31, 2021 and will continue to follow the State's guidance and planning process for both.
Additionally, those industries governed by State Agencies must operate in accordance with the requirements of the appropriate Board. Vaccination efforts will continue to be a community priority. As vaccine allocations increase, the City is working closely with the Quad Counties and various partners to administer to the public as quickly as possible.
Carson City has and will continue to enforce the directives within City operations to ensure the wellbeing of our employees and the public that they serve. Critical/essential employees may continue to work in the office. However, employees that remain at work in City offices will need to be masked up at all times unless they are in their private office alone or have an exemption pursuant to the Governor's Directives. Meetings will continue to be held virtually, if feasible, and will only occur in person if social distancing requirements can be met.
Enforcement Measures
Carson City has established a COVID Education and Compliance Program and hired a COVID Education and Compliance Coordinator.
Since December 8, 2020, the COVID Education and Compliance Coordinator has visited over 700 businesses. As Carson City re-opens, the COVID Education and Compliance Coordinator will continue to inspect businesses which may be out of compliance based on contact tracing information, prior history, and working in consultation with OSHA and the Nevada Department of Business and Industry.
Carson City has also established a COVID Compliance Task Force in order to create a comprehensive and coordinated approach between all compliance mechanisms. The Task Force will continue to meet as needed to discuss efforts to further engage businesses in compliance efforts.
The Task Force is comprised of the following individuals:
• Mayor Lori Bagwell
• City Manager Nancy Paulson
• Deputy City Manager Stephanie Hicks
• Health and Human Services Director Nicki Aaker
• CCHHS Epidemiologist Dustin Booth
• Fire Chief/Emergency Manager Sean Slamon
• Deputy Emergency Manager Jason Danen
• Undersheriff Jerome Tushbant
• Community Development Director Lee Plemel
• Carson City Chamber of Commerce Director Ronni Hannaman
• Nevada Builders Alliance CEO Aaron West
• Western Nevada College President Vincent Solis
• Carson City COVID Education and Compliance Coordinator Robert Rikalo
Public Information
Carson City disseminates public information through two different media campaigns.
The Carson City Health and Human Services (CCHHS) Public Information Officer (PIO) will continue to create community education materials regarding public health measures, testing and vaccines, monitor social media and ensure messaging aligns with the Governor's directives and the needs of the community.
Additionally, through the City Manager's Office, the Digital Media Coordinator, will assist in preparing videos and messaging through elected officials and other City figures regarding public health measures and business compliance as well as disseminate CCHHS messaging through the City's other social media accounts.
Resource Needs
According to the COVID-19 Mitigation Taskforce, the Nevada National Guard, FEMA, and USDA will be available to assist with testing and vaccination events, along with data entry through September 13, 2021. This is a resource that is critical to the City's successful recovery and we appreciate the State's effort to secure these resources.
Carson City is prepared to administer 7,000 vaccinations per week to the Quad-Counties. However, CCHHS is currently only receiving approximately 2,000 to 2,700 vaccine allocations per week. According to Becker's Hospital Review's data on March 18, 2021, Nevada is ranked 42 for vaccine allocation based on the estimated 2018 population.
Therefore, additional vaccine allocations are needed to meet the demand and be able to vaccinate all population groups.
Restore Carson City - Transition May 1, 2021
City Industry Occupancy Requirements, Public Gatherings and Events:
Indoors - 50 percent occupancy or 250 people Public gathering plans meeting City checklist must be submitted 30 max whichever is less and meets social days in advance. All other City approval or permitting applies.
Outdoors - Public gatherings and events prior to June 1, 2021 will be limited to 250 max and meets social distancing.
State Requirements
Statewide mask mandate, social distancing and hygiene considerations remain in effect.
- Libraries, Museums, Art Galleries, Aquariums and Zoos
Up to 100 percent occupancy that meets social distancing requirements.
All interactive and/or hands on exhibits, high touch areas must be frequently cleaned. Restaurants/food courts should adhere to requirements in place for those types of establishments. Statewide mask mandate, social distancing and hygiene considerations remain in effect.
- Retail Stores and Indoor Malls
Up to 100 and occupancy that meets social distancing requirements.
Self-service food and drink areas must be cleaned frequently.
Statewide mask mandate, social distancing and hygiene considerations remain in effect.
- Medicinal and Recreational Cannabis Establishments
MUST OPERATE ACCORDING TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE NEVADA CANNABIS COMPLIANCE BOARD.
Statewide mask mandate, social distancing and hygiene considerations remain in effect.
Community/Recreational Centers (including public pools)
Up to 100 percent occupancy that meets social distancing requirements.
Use of community locker rooms and showers must meet social distancing requirements.
Statewide mask mandate, social distancing and hygiene considerations remain in effect.
- Indoors: Up to 100 percent occupancy that meets social distancing requirements
- Outdoors: No occupancy limits but must meet social distancing.
No more than 6 persons per table inside or 10 persons per table outside with social distancing requirements.
- Food and Beverage Establishments: Restaurants, Bars, Pubs, Wineries, Distilleries and Breweries (those that serve food and those that do not)
Statewide mask mandate, social distancing and hygiene considerations remain in effect.
Up to 100 percent occupancy that meets social distancing requirements.
- Places of Worship
Statewide mask mandate, social distancing and hygiene considerations remain in effect.
- Gyms, Fitness Studios, Yoga Studios, Dance Studios, Martial Arts Studios and Similar Establishments
Up to 100 percent occupancy that meets social distancing requirements.
Use of community locker rooms, showers, saunas, vapor baths, salt Statewide mask mandate, social distancing and hygiene therapy rooms, spas and other communal areas must meet social considerations remain in effect. Distancing requirements. Frequently clean saunas, showers and locker rooms.
- Gaming Floors
MUST OPERATE ACCORDING TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE NEVADA GAMING CONTROL BOARD.
Statewide mask mandate, social distancing and hygiene considerations remain in effect.
- Arcades, Racetracks, Bowling Alleys, Mini-Golf, Pool Halls/Billiard rooms, Amusement and Theme Parks and similar activities
Up to 100 percent occupancy that meets social distancing requirements.
Statewide mask mandate, social distancing and hygiene considerations remain in effect.
- Spas, Massage Therapy and Massage
MUST OPERATE ACCORDING TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE NV STATE BOARD OF COSMETOLOGY AND NV STATE BOARD OF MASSAGE.
***Statewide Directives that will remain in place include, but are not limited to:
Statewide mask requirement as outlined in Directive 024 Social distancing and hygiene considerations as outlined in Directive 021 School reopening and operational requirements as outlined in Directives 022, 028, and 038 Crisis Standards of Care as outlined in Directive 011
- Hair Salons, Barbershops, Nail Salons, and Businesses that provide Aesthetic Skin Services
Statewide mask mandate, social distancing and hygiene considerations remain in effect.
MUST OPERATE ACCORDING TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE NEVADA STATE BOARD OF COSMETOLOGY AND NEVADA BARBERS' HEALTH AND SANITATION BOARD.
- Body Art and Piercing Establishments
Statewide mask mandate, social distancing and hygiene considerations remain in effect.
Up to 100 percent occupancy that meets social distancing requirements or with walls or partitions between stations or chairs.
- Dayclubs, Nightclubs and Karaoke
Up to 100 precent occupancy that meets social distancing requirements.
Statewide mask mandate, social distancing and hygiene considerations remain in effect.
- Youth and Adult Recreational Sports
Indoors - 50 percent occupancy or 250 people Events prior to June 1, 2021 will be limited to 250 individuals max whichever is less and meets social distancing requirements.
Outdoors - 250 max and meets social distancing.
Statewide mask mandate, social distancing and hygiene considerations remain in effect.
Tournaments must be approved by State.
- Schools
MUST OPERATE ACCORDING TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE NEVADA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION INCLUDING SCHOOL LARGE GATHERINGS SUCH AS PERFORMANCES AND GRADUATIONS.
Statewide mask mandate and hygiene considerations remain in effect. Social distancing while in school buildings and facilities - 3 ft apart between students of all levels, adults 6 ft between students and other adults, or as amended by future State directives.
- Social Distancing
- Cleaning and Sanitizing
- Personal Hygiene
- Facility Maintenance
- 6 ft. between groups or install physical barriers
- Disinfect high-touch areas
- Require employees to stay home if ill
- Train all staff/members in new protocols
- Screen staff for symptoms
- Require masks
- Make hand sanitizer available and disinfectant available
- City Required or Recommended for all Industry/Activity
- Recommended: Consider reservations
- Recommended: Opt for pre-packaged and single-use cups
- Recommended: Require patrons/guests to stay home if ill Screen guests/patrons for symptoms
- Recommended: Encourage drive-in or outdoor services
- Limit use of shared or passed items
- Mark 6 ft. distances and create one-way routes
- Contactless check-in, menus and payment options
- Encourage pick-up, delivery, or outdoor seating
- Supplement HVAC systems with open windows and fans
- Consider gloves for staff
- Limit physical contact between members
- Stagger services for cleaning
- Limit vocal activity
- Refresh air in sauna and spa treatment rooms
- Limit shared equipment
- Close waiting or gathering areas areas and buffets
- Host smaller events in larger rooms
