Washoe County's COVID-19 mitigation plan finally gets state approval

Local authority over COVID-19 restrictions has now been granted to all of Nevada's 17 counties after Washoe County commissioners approved a revised plan Monday and successfully submitted the necessary endorsements to the state's mitigation task force.

Masks remain mandatory under Gov. Steve Sisolak’s state-wide mandate, but control over most all other COVID-19 mitigation measures began May 1 at all Nevada counties (except Washoe), where capacity limits and social-distancing limits vary through the end of the month.

Sisolak has set a June 1 date for lifting coronavirus mitigation restrictions statewide, including eliminating all capacity caps, with the exception of the mask mandate, which he's said will stay in place for the foreseeable future.

On Monday, Washoe County became the last county to win approval of a local plan to move forward before June 1.

The statewide COVID-19 Mitigation and Management Task Force declined to accept the county’s plan in April after the Washoe County Commission removed social-distancing requirements from the previous blueprint that the county health district had insisted be part of the package.

After being sent back to the drawing board, the commission voted Monday on an updated plan that was endorsed by the City of Reno, City of Sparks, Nevada Hospital Association, Washoe County Health District and the Washoe County School District. The State of Nevada and Sisolak approved the plan as well Monday.

The plan, effective through May 31, allows for 100%  capacity at businesses as long as 6 feet of social distancing is in place, per CDC guidance. Further, at restaurants and bars, table sizes are now increased to groups of 10 (previously, it was 6).

Details of the plan are below, as provided in a Monday press release from the county. Go to covid19washoe.com for full updates and details:

Topic	May 3 – 31, 2021	June 1, 2021
Masks	Must be worn by employees and customers, indoors and outdoors, per Governor’s Directive 024 and 028 (See all directives here)	Must be worn by employees and customers, indoors and outdoors
Social distancing	6 feet per CDC guidance	No social distance requirements

Permit type	May 3 – 31, 2021	June 1, 2021
Pools/Spas	Hot tubs (spas) may open
Food	Seating:  Tables limited to groups of 10 Bars limited to groups of 4 Condiments:  Customer may ask for and bottles must be cleaned between customers Buffets:  Are not allowed to open unless served by employees Bars: Bar top service can resume as long as social distancing of 6 feet is maintained.	Seating: No restrictions Condiments: No restrictions Buffets: Allowed to open with self service
Special Events	Events expecting more than 500 individuals need to submit a Large Gathering Plan to WCHD-EHS and have it approved	Events that have already had their plan approved by the State may reach out to WCHD-EHS to obtain permission to hold their event with less restrictions Newly planned events do not need an approved large gathering plan
Invasive Body Decoration	For procedures on the head/face staff must abide by rules for dental procedures (mouth rinse, wash hands, employee wearing mask and face shield)	For procedures on the head/face staff must abide by rules for dental procedures (mouth rinse, wash hands, employee wearing mask and face shield)
Casinos/Large Resorts	Gaming operators must continue to abide by the requirements listed in SB4 regulationsadopted by the District Board of Health	Gaming operators must continue to abide by the requirements listed in SB4 regulations adopted by the District Board of Health.