Governor Relaxes Covid Restrictions

Governor Pete Ricketts announced changes in his Directed Health Measures  that will take effect on the first of June.

The State started loosening restriction on May 4.  “We needed a couple of weeks to see what was happening, and see if things were staying stable” the Governor said Thursday.

The two weeks was up this past Monday, and questions about June have been continuous since then.

The requirement to quarantine after out-of-state travel will remain in effect for international travelers only — or those returning from areas of rapid spread.  “New Jersey, lots of spread, you’ll still need to quarantine” Ricketts said.

Sports will be divided into contact levels:  No contact, mild contact, or heavy contact.  Low and mild contact Team Sports such as Tennis, Golf, or Rodeo, practice can start June 1, and competition on June 18, for both youth and adult teams.

Still prohibited:  Football, wrestling, volleyball,  and other higher contact team sports.

School gyms and weight rooms can open June 1, following guidelines for social distance.

June 1 also triggers guidelines for previously restricted businesses in 89 counties that were previously relaxed on May 4.  Restaurants, nail, barber, tattoo, massage, spa and nail businesses, will move from phase 1 to phase 2.

The Central Health District and Dakota county will move to phase 1, where the other 89 counties have been since May 4.  (Grand Island/Hastings/Kearney area, and Sioux City area)

Here is the complete detail of the updated Directed Health Measures that take effect on June 1st:

Travel Quarantine

• All individuals returning from international travel only will be required to quarantine upon returning to Nebraska for 14 days.
• The restriction will not apply to individuals traveling in connection with military service or in connection with employment at a health care facility.

Sports

• Team sports have been categorized by contact level (contact, limited-contact, non contact) based on guidance from April 2008 American Academy of Pediatrics Classification of Sports According to Contact. These categories will be used for determining the opening of different team sports.
• Limited and Non-contact team sports including baseball, softball, and volleyball practices may begin June 1st.
• Limited and Non-contact team sports including baseball, softball, and volleyball games may begin June 18th.
• Rodeo events may also begin starting June 1st
• June 1st Statewide Sports Reopening Guidelines must be followed for both Youth and Adults.
  • Rodeos are permitted to follow Gatherings DHM requirements
  • School gyms and weight rooms are permitted to follow gyms, fitness centers/clubs, health clubs, and health spas DHM requirements.
• Contact sports like basketball, tackle football, soccer, wrestling, etc. remain prohibited.

Starting June 1st the following guidelines apply to all counties except for those located in Central District Health Dept (Hall, Hamilton, Merrick) and Dakota County Health Dept (Dakota)

• Bars and Restaurants
  • Restaurants remain open for dine-in and Bars, Bottle Clubs, and Gentleman’s Clubs can reopen.
    • Patrons will be required to be seated while on premise unless they are placing an order or using the restroom.
  • Limited to 50% capacity or rated occupancy maximum at a time
  • Six (6) feet separation between seating of different parties
  • Six (6) feet of separation between entertainers, performers, dancers, and patrons.
  • Maximum of six (6) individuals in a party (groups larger than six (6) will need to split into multiple table(s)
  • Food may not be consumed at bar seating
  • Games such as pool, darts, arcade games etc. are prohibited .
• Childcare Facilities
  • Will remain at not more than 15 children per room/space
    • All other provisions, statutes, and regulations, including child to staff rations, still apply.
• Gatherings
  • Gatherings will be limited to the greater of 25 people (excluding staff) or 25% of rated occupancy (not to exceed 3,000) for gatherings held at:
    • Indoor or Outdoor Arenas, Indoor or Outdoor Auctions, Stadiums, Tracks, Fairgrounds, Festivals, Zoos, Auditoriums, Large Event Conference Rooms, Meeting Halls, Indoor Theaters, Libraries, Swimming Pools, or any other confined indoor or outdoor space
      • Groups shall be no larger than six (6) individuals
      • Six (6) feet separation between groups must be maintained
  • Parades, carnivals, midways, dances, and street dances, and other beer gardens are prohibited through June 30th and may be extended.
    • Parades where patrons remain in their vehicles and the public does not line the streets are permitted.
    • Dance recitals are permitted but must follow the Gathering requirements.
  • Drive-in movie theaters may open at full capacity as long as patrons remain in/on their vehicles while viewing the movie and congregating at concession and restroom areas are not permitted.
  • Plans for re-opening must be submitted to the local health departments and approved for all indoor and outdoor locations/venues that hold 500 or more individuals (1,000 or more in counties over 500,000 population) before reopening is permitted. The reopening plan must contain planned number of guests, how the location will meet social distancing guidelines, and sanitation guidelines.
• Gyms, Fitness Centers/Clubs, Health Clubs, Health Spas
  • Will be permitted to the greater of 25 people (excluding staff) or 50% of their rated occupancy.
  • Must ensure a minimum distance of six (6) feet be maintained between all patrons.
• Salons, Barber Shops, Massage Therapy Services & Tattoo Parlors/Body Art Facilities
  • Will be limited to the greater of 25 people (including staff) or 50% of rated occupancy.
  • Chairs/stations must remain at least six (6) feet apart.
  • Both workers and patrons are still required in the DHM to wear masks at all times.
    • An exception will be made for services provided by estheticians. Patrons will be permitted to remove their mask while receiving services directly. The mask must be worn by the patron at all other times while on the premis.
• Wedding & Funeral Reception Venues
  • Will be limited to the greater of 25 people (including staff) or 50% of rated occupancy.
  • Six (6) feet separation between seating of different parties.
  • Maximum of six (6) individuals in a party (groups larger than six (6) will need to split into multiple table(s)
  • Self serve buffets and salad bars are prohibited. Venue staff must serve food directly to all individuals.
  • No dances or other social events that require guests outside of their respective tables are permitted.