Nevada’s COVID Task Force Approves Clark County’s Plans to Expand to 80 Percent Capacity

Clark County gets set to reopen at 80 percent capacity on May 1 after the state approved local COVID-19 mitigation and enforcement plans.

The state’s COVID-19 response director Caleb Cage gave Clark County approval on Tuesday, making it official that businesses across Las Vegas and Henderson can reopen with 80 percent of fire code capacity and reduced social distancing from six feet to three feet. That helps smaller restaurants that couldn’t muster 50 percent capacity while spreading tables to six-foot distancing protocols. Nightclubs, adult entertainment venues, and self-serve buffets can reopen as well.

The state still has a mandatory mask order indoors and when social distancing cannot be maintained outdoors.

Gov. Steve Sisolak moved COVID-19 mitigation and enforcement to counties after expanding Nevada to 50 percent occupancy on March 15. He hopes that Nevada can return to 100 percent capacity and no restrictions by June 1.

The Nevada Gaming Control Board also gave Clark County casinos approval to expand to 80 percent capacity on May 1.

On May 1, restaurants can expand seating from six per table to 12 and at a bar from two to four people. Patios already can seat at 100 percent capacity.

The news could get even better if at least 60 percent of the 1.8 million eligible residents in Clark County receive at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccinations and both the 14-day average test positivity remains at 5 percent or below and running weekly cases remain below 1,150 cases. Then the county plans to lift all capacity and social distancing restrictions. About 46.5 percent of eligible Clark County residents received at least one dose of the vaccination as of Tuesday.

• Gov. Steve Sisolak Plans to Allow Nevada to Reopen at 100 Percent Capacity on June 1 [ELV]

• Clark County Allows Restaurants, Bars to Expand to 80 Percent Capacity on May 1 [ELV]

• Nevada Gaming Control Board Allows Clark County Casinos to Expand to 80 Percent Capacity [ELV]

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