Governor tightens COVID restrictions once more as hospitalizations rise

    On Monday, Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts tightened the state’s Directed Health Measures (DHMs) as positive COVID-19 diagnoses rise and hospitals are seeing more cases.
    While the latest restrictions run until the end of November, the Governor’s statement did not set that in stone.
    The new DHMs went into effect statewide Wednesday, Nov. 11, and remain in effect “at least through Nov. 30,” the statement read.
    The new DHMs deal with mask-wearing requirements at specific locations, 6 feet spacing and attendance to youths’ extracurricular events, including sports. Ricketts cited the rising hospitalizations in Nebraska as reason for the latest DHMs,  an effort to slow the spread of the coronavirus.”
    “Folks, this is serious,” the governor said. “Please, please, continue to use the tools we’ve given you to control the spread of the virus.”    
    The Governor is following some of his own suggestions.
    On Tuesday, he announced he and his wife, First Lady Susanne Shore, had come into close contact with someone who tested positive for coronavirus. Both of them will quarantine for 14 days.
    The major changes in the new DHMs include:
Six-foot rule
    Six feet of separation between parties is required in all instances for the following: gyms/fitness centers, health spas, restaurants, bars, gentlemen and bottle clubs, weddings, funerals, indoor gatherings and churches.
    • For churches, weddings and funerals, parties are considered household members only.
    • Masks are required for staff and patrons at salons, barbershops, massage therapy, bowling alleys, pool halls, body art establishments, and any other indoor businesses where staff and patrons are within six (6) feet of each other for 15 consecutive minutes or more.
    • Bar patrons who are participating in games such as pool, darts, shuffleboard, etc. are required to wear a mask when not drinking or eating.  
Extracurricular activities
    Fan attendance for all indoor youth extracurricular activities is limited to household members of participants only.
    • Extracurricular activities include both school and club sponsored events.
    • Six (6) feet of separation required between household units.
Salons, barber shops
    Six feet of separation between customers is required.
    • Both workers and patrons are required to wear masks at all times.
    • Exceptions for services performed on faces. 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 premise.
Bars, restaurants
    Restaurants, bars, bottle clubs and gentlemen’s clubs remain open for dine-in.
    • Patrons will be required to be seated while on premise unless they are placing an order, using the restroom or playing games.
    • 100% of rated occupancy, but 6 feet of separation required between tables.
    • Bar seating is permitted with 6 feet of separation between people.
    • Maximum of eight individuals in a party (groups larger than eight will need to split into multiple tables).
    • Self-serve buffets and salad bars are permitted.
Churches, places of worship
    No limit on occupancy but must maintain 6 feet between household units.

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