Some Businesses In Nebraska Will Be Allowed To Reopen On May 4

Press release from the City of Omaha:

April 25, 2020

Governor Pete Ricketts will issue a new Directed Health Measure that allows restaurants, salons, barber shops, and several other businesses in Douglas, Sarpy and Cass counties to reopen with restrictions.

• Restaurants can open to serve dine-in customers with restrictions and safety requirements.
• Seating must be limited to 50% of the rated occupancy maximum at all times.
• Tables must be at least six feet apart.
• All dining parties are restricted to no more than six persons (groups larger than six will need to sit at separate tables).
• Self-serve buffets and salad bars are prohibited.
• Restaurant staff must serve food directly to customers.
• No customer self-service will be allowed.
• Bar seating is not permitted. Customers may only consume alcohol on the premises if also consuming a meal.
• Employees will be required to wear masks

Bars that do not serve food will remain limited to carry-out sales and delivery only.

Beauty and nail salons, barber shops, massage therapy services, and tattoo parlors/studios will be permitted to open, while maintaining the 10-person rule. Employees and customers must wear masks.

Childcare facilities will be permitted to have up to 15 children per room/space, an increase of five over the current requirements. All other state provisions, statutes, and regulations (including child-to-staff ratios) still apply.

All other businesses currently ordered to close must remain closed until May 31st, or until the orders are amended, including bars, gentlemen’s clubs, bottle clubs, indoor movie theaters, indoor theaters and playhouses.

Churches, synagogues, mosques, temples, and other places of worship can resume services, weddings and funerals beginning May 4. Each household must sit six feet apart.

Previously, Governor Ricketts announced hospitals can resume elective surgeries on May 4 if hospitals meet certain capacity requirements. Dental offices, eye care clinics and veterinary clinics can also reopen.

The Governor said decisions are based on the state’s health care system.

“In Omaha, we have lots of capacity, so it’s appropriate to open some of the businesses previously closed,” said Governor Ricketts.

As of April 24th, 48% of hospital beds, 42% of ICU beds, and 74% of ventilators are available for use statewide. Metro Omaha hospitals currently have 352 ventilators, 101 are in use, but only 15 for COVID-19 patients. Omaha hospitals reported a 59% occupancy rate on April 24.

“These are thoughtful, careful first steps,” said Mayor Jean Stothert. “I am seeing compliance burnout, and I worry if we don’t lighten up a little as we follow the data, we will see less and less compliance.”

Douglas County Health Director Dr. Adi Pour called the Governor’s actions small, reasonable steps. “It’s the virus that makes the numbers, we can’t predict it,” said Dr. Pour. “If I see numbers increase, I will go back to the Governor to discuss these actions. Social distancing is an area we won’t back off.”

This press release was produced by the City of Omaha. The views expressed here are the author’s own.