Gov. Ricketts Adds Additional Businesses to State’s Directed Health Measure

Media Contacts:  

Taylor Gage, (402) 471-1970

Justin Pinkerman, (402) 471-1967

Governor's Media Release:

Read the Directed Health Measure by clicking here.

LINCOLN – Today, Governor Pete Ricketts announced that the State's tenth COVID-19 related Directed Health Measure (DHM) includes new businesses.  The measure is being issued to bring greater consistency between state and local DHMs, which had previously closed a handful of categories not covered by the state.  It will be in effect beginning tonight at 12:00am.

Read the new DHM by clicking here.

Additions to the Statewide DHM

• All beauty/nail salons, barber shops, massage therapy services, gentlemen's clubs, bottle clubs, indoor theatres, and tattoo parlors/studios are closed until April 30, 2020.
• All organized team sports, youth and adult, including but not limited to club sports are suspended until May 31, 2020.
• Auto racing is now specifically listed in the social gathering section.
  
• Drivers and their crews are considered patrons/invitees not staff.

State-Issued DHM Provisions (Apply Statewide)

• Imposes an enforceable, 10-person limit on public gatherings.  
• Prohibits medical and dental elective surgeries and procedures.
• Requires schools (public, private, and parochial) to operate without students through May 31, 2020.
• Cancels all school-related extracurricular activities through May 31, 2020.
• Requires restaurants and bars to close their dining areas and move to takeout, delivery, and/or curbside service only. 
• Requires individuals to home quarantine for at least 14 days if:
  
• They have tested positive for COVID-19.
• They have a fever of 100.4° F or above.
• They have experienced sudden onset of a cough and/or shortness of breath.
• They reside or have resided with individuals who've tested positive for COVID-19 or have the above symptoms.
• NOTE: The quarantine requirement excludes those individuals with seasonal allergies, COPD, or other diagnoses that may produce respiratory symptoms.  Additionally, the directive doesn't apply to patients who have an alternative non-COVID-19 diagnosis from a healthcare provider.  These patients should follow the treatment and guidance provided by their healthcare provider for such conditions.
• Some individuals in home quarantine may not experience the onset of symptoms until the latter half of their 14-day quarantine period.  In this case, the length of their quarantine may exceed 14 days.  Individuals should remain in quarantine until 7 days have passed since onset of symptoms, symptoms have improved, and they have been fever-free for at least 72 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication.  
• NOTE: See the DHM for additional direction on household members living with those in quarantine.
• The DHM's limitation on public gatherings does not apply to:
  
• Retail or grocery stores where people should maintain six feet of distance from one another.
• Child care centers that may be operated at a school per the Governor's executive order regarding childcare, which you can access by clicking here.
• Other locations detailed in the DHM.

Locally Issued DHMs (Apply Only to Particular LHDs)

• In addition to the State-issued DHM, some Local Health Departments (LHDs) have issued additional restrictions. 
• For example, the Central District, Douglas, Lancaster, Sarpy/Cass, and Two Rivers LHDs have closed salons, tattoo parlors, and other similar businesses in their jurisdictions for the time being. 
• Locally issued Directed Health Measures can be found at the links below:
  
• Central District Health Department – Local DHM
• Douglas County Health Department – Local DHM
• Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department – Local DHM
• Sarpy/Cass Health Department – Local DHM
• Two Rivers Public Health Department – Local DHM

TIMELINES FOR THE STATE'S DIRECTED HEALTH MEASURES

The first DHM, issued on March 18th, applies to Cass, Douglas, and Sarpy counties and is in effect until at least April 30^th unless renewed.

The second DHM, issued on March 25th, applies to Dodge, Lancaster, Saunders, and Washington counties and is in effect until at least May 6^th unless renewed.

The third DHM, issued on March 28th, applies to Butler, Hall, Hamilton, Merrick, Polk, Seward, and York counties and is in effect until May 6th unless renewed.

The fourth DHM, issued on March 29th, applies to Burt, Cuming, Madison, and Stanton counties and is in effect until May 6th unless renewed.

The fifth DHM, issued on March 30th, applies to Banner, Box Butte, Cheyenne, Dawes, Deuel, Garden, Grant, Kimball, Morrill, Scotts Bluff, Sheridan, and Sioux counties and is in effect until May 11th unless renewed.

The sixth DHM, issued on March 31st, applies to Adams, Clay, Nuckolls, and Webster counties and is in effect until May 11th unless renewed.

The seventh DHM, also issued on March 31st, applies to Buffalo, Dawson, Franklin, Gosper, Harlan, Kearney, and Phelps counties and is in effect until May 11th unless renewed.

The eighth DHM, issued on April 1st, applies to Antelope, Arthur, Boyd, Brown, Cherry, Holt, Hooker, Keya Paha, Knox, Lincoln, Logan, McPherson, Pierce, Rock, and Thomas counties and is in effect until May 11th unless renewed.

The ninth DHM, issued on April 3^rd, applies to all remaining counties until May 11^th unless renewed.

FAQS FOR THE STATE'S DIRECTED HEALTH MEASURES

Who does the State's Directed Health Measure apply to?

It applies to places such as theaters, churches, houses of worship, gyms, social clubs, salons, and social gatherings, including weddings, funerals, concerts, and athletic events.  This is not an exhaustive list, but illustrates the types of locations the DHM applies to.                                    

Do I need to shut down my bar or restaurant?

At bars and restaurants, it applies to patrons, not to your workforce.  Restaurants and bars are encouraged to ask their patrons if they can prepare their order for takeout upon arrival.  Restaurants will play a key part in feeding people throughout the pandemic.

Do I need to shut down my daycare?

No.  DHHS has issued new guidance that daycares need to follow.  You can find it by clicking here.

Do I need to shut down my office?

No.  The Directed Health Measure does not apply to places such as office buildings, grocery stores, pharmacies, hospitals, nursing homes, correctional facilities, court houses, court rooms, banks, car dealerships, auto repair shops, nursing homes, long-term care facilities, small shops, golf courses, big box stores, gas stations, convenience stores, shopping malls, manufacturing facilities, packing facilities, construction jobs, and other traditional office settings.  This is not an exhaustive list, but illustrates the types of locations the DHM does not apply to.                                

Furthermore, we do not expect these facilities to be impacted by additional limits at this time.

Do I need to cancel a wedding or a funeral?

Weddings and funerals are also subject to the 10-person limit.  Event planners and facilities are encouraged to be flexible with people who are rearranging their plans.