City: Four Reno business categories should start winding down operations by March 20
As a follow up to the City of Reno’s emergency declaration on Friday, Reno Mayor Hillary Schieve is ordering temporary mandatory closures of bars, nightclubs, gyms and restaurants (except takeout/delivery/drive through and pick up services) in the city until April 5 unless extended. Assistant City Manager Bill Thomas and Police Chief Jason Soto clarified further in an online town hall.
Those businesses should begin the process of winding down operations starting today, with the goal of closing by Friday, March 20 at 5 p.m. until tentatively April 5 at 9 p.m.
Assistant City Manager Bill Thomas clarified business closures. The city is requiring mandatory closure of the following business types for two weeks:
- Bars, including inside casinos
- Nightclubs, including inside casinos
- Gyms open to the general public
- Dine-in portion of a restaurant. Take-out, curbside and delivery are OK to remain open
This does not apply to City of Sparks or Washoe County at large.
These business restrictions are based on the federal and state government’s guidance and recommendations on social distancing and other effective ways to address the spread of COVID-19. For businesses that don’t follow into those four categories, the City of Reno offered additional guidance.
“If you have a business where more than 10 people congregate or where you cannot maintain the separation of individuals by 6 feet, then the guidance is that you should close until we pass this period,” Thomas said. “However, this is not mandatory, it is a guidance.”
Casino gaming is still allowed to operate following the directions of the Nevada Gaming Control Board, though that is expected to change today, but casino dining areas in restaurants and bars should be closed. Room service is allowed for guests within properties.
The Mayor would also strongly urge any businesses with public gatherings to follow the same guidelines put forth by Governor Sisolak. The City is following best practices, and businesses should be prepared that there could be more restrictions in the future. Police Chief Soto explained why the city believes the shut downs are necessary.
“We’re trying to avoid what we’re seeing in cities where it’s a complete shut down of all businesses and activity,” Soto said. “COVID is spreading so fast it’s overwhelming hospitals and first responders and we’re trying to avoid that. Our fear is that we’d have to shut down for several months instead of through April 5.”
If this virus and outbreak gets to severe levels, which it can, he said, then hospitals could be overrun and will not have beds.
“We’ll have more challenges in our community,” Soto said. “We’re trying to keep up, too.”
On March 20 Reno Police will be going around to ensure businesses are in compliance, Soto said.
“We ask for your patience and understanding,” Soto said. “We’re trying to shrink (the virus spread) window as quickly as we can. In the next two weeks as we see these numbers as they continue to come in, we’ll have a better idea of where we are as a community and we can see how to get in front of it instead of being behind it.”
The City has no current solutions for lost wages and income to businesses and employees. Thomas said owners should contact the City of Reno with questions and comments by email at businesslic@reno.gov or by phone at 775-334-2090 so they can document consequences of the shut down.
The Reno Gazette Journal tracked question and answers with business owners in their article here.