Sisolak to extend stay at home order but few details offered
LAS VEGAS (AP) — Gov. Steve Sisolak plans to extend his directive asking people to stay home to limit the spread of the coronavirus but he will ease some restrictions.
The Democratic governor said in an interview with ABC News Wednesday that Nevada's coronavirus cases and deaths have reached a plateau but he has to “extend the stay at home order a little bit” in order to see the numbers drop. Sioslak in mid-March closed casinos, restaurants and businesses that were not considered essential and asked residents to stay home at least through Thursday.
Sisolak did not offer information about how long he would extend the order. He also said that he would be easing some outdoor restrictions and rules about the curbside pickup at retailers, but did not offer more details. He said the opening of Las Vegas casinos likely won't happen until the third or fourth phase of his gradual reopening plan, but he has has not released any more details or timeline.
Sisolak's office did not immediately respond to questions about how long he plans to extend the order and what rules he plans to ease. He said in a tweet this week that he will detail his reopening plan on Thursday.
“It’s nice to hear that he does have a plan, moving forward. It would be better if he would tell Nevadans what his plan is and not necessarily the national news outlets,” said Assemblyman Tom Roberts, who co-leads the Republican minority.
Frustrated Republican lawmakers sent a letter to Sisolak's office Wednesday calling for definitive timelines for more economic activity to resume and a bipartisan task force to come up with a reopening strategy. They also want more workers hired and shifting of existing government workers to handle the crush of unemployment claims.
State health officials reported 230 deaths statewide from the coronavirus outbreak Wednesday. The health department also reported nearly 5,000 cases of COVID-19.
For most people, the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia and death.
In other developments:
— Union nurses and healthcare workers at Las Vegas hospitals promised three days of protests to highlight their call for an Occupational Safety and Health Administration investigation of employee protection. The Service Employees International Union planned job actions Wednesday, Thursday and Friday at separate HCA Healthcare hospitals. Union board member and nurse Jody Domineck said workers want the company to require protection beyond Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines.
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Associated Press writer Ken Ritter contributed to this report.