Nevada Will Begin Phase 1 Reopening on May 9

Nevada governor Steve Sisolak announced that the state will begin its phase 1 reopening process on May 9.

Published: 5/8/2020, 5:23:47 PM EDT

Nevada Will Begin Phase 1 Reopening on May 9 — Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak responds to a question during a news conference at the Sawyer State Building in Las Vegas, Nev., on March 17, 2020. (Steve Marcus/Las Vegas Sun via AP)

Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak announced on Thursday that the state will start its opening process with phase 1 on Saturday.

"I'm pleased to announce as a result of the cooperating and doing so well in the social distancing, wearing masks, that we are on track with the opening criteria and we will enter phase 1 on Saturday, May 9," Sisolak, a Democrat, said at a press conference, reported KTNV.

Sisolak will also be signing a new directive that will override the old "stay-at-home" directive, but decided that it was important to give an update prior to the reopening so that business communities can be prepared to reopen on Saturday.

During the phase 1 reopening of the state, all businesses, including those deemed non-essential, that will operate must follow all measures that are in place by the Nevada State Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) in order to minimize the spread of the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus, a novel coronavirus that emerged from China and triggered lockdowns across the globe in efforts to mitigate its spread.

People wait in line for help with unemployment benefits at the One-Stop Career Center in Las Vegas, Nev., on March 17, 2020. (John Locher/AP Photo) — People wait in line for help with unemployment benefits at the One-Stop Career Center in Las Vegas, Nev., on March 17, 2020. John Locher/AP Photo

This means that any and all social distancing and sanitation measures put in place by the Nevada OSHA must be adopted into practice while running businesses, said Sisolak in reopening guidelines (pdf). Employees should wear masks or face coverings when interacting with customers, and businesses should also encourage their customers to also wear face coverings.

Businesses that can reopen Saturday include restaurants, pubs, wineries, bars, and breweries that serve food, barbershops, hair salons, nail salons, and retail businesses. Although these businesses may reopen, there will be some restrictions.

For instance, restaurants may reopen for dine-in as long as its operating at no more than 50 percent capacity, and tables need to be at least 6 feet apart. In addition, reservations at restaurants should be put in place to better follow social distancing requirements.

Pedestrians pass beneath the Reno arch as traffic passes on Virginia Street in downtown Reno, Nev. on March 20, 2020. (AP Photo/Scott Sonner, File) — Pedestrians pass beneath the Reno arch as traffic passes on Virginia Street in downtown Reno, Nev. on March 20, 2020. AP Photo/Scott Sonner, File

Pubs, wineries, bars, and breweries that serve food should also follow similar guidelines with variations on restrictions, such as closing off bar-tops and bar areas to drinking and eating purposes.

Both businesses are encouraged to continue their curbside, delivery, and pickup services regarding food.

Barbershops, hair and nail salons must have partitions or walls between each working station. If partitions cannot be used, then employees must work at least 6 feet apart. These services are encouraged to use appointments to book their sessions to better observe social distancing guidelines.

With retail businesses, employees must observe the same face-covering guidelines mentioned above, and when possible, are strongly encouraged to refer customers to online, call-in, curbside, delivery, or pickup services. Any retail store or showcase must also not exceed 50 percent occupancy.

Malls and entertainment businesses, such as drive-in theaters, should also observe strict social distancing requirements, the governor said. Open-air malls may reopen with strict social distancing guidelines and indoor malls will remain closed to the public but may continue with pickup or curbside services.

Sisolak said in a tweet that he expects the phase 1 reopening to last two to three weeks with an expiry date set for May 30. He also mentioned that phase 2 might be introduced before the phase 1 expiry date, provided that public health requirements are met.