At his daily coronavirus update on Monday, Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts addressed questions about meat processing facilities and social distancing guidelines as the state continues to ramp up testing capabilities.
As meat processing plants remain a large concern for virus outbreaks, Ricketts said the state continues to work with those facilities to encourage health measures among workers so the food supply chain remains intact. "My understanding is many of these facilities are running slower, for a variety of reasons."
For the general public, while life may be returning to some semblance of normal, Ricketts reminded that social distancing measures will be in place through the summer and into fall.
As directed health measures across most of the state are going to be loosened beginning May 4th, Ricketts was asked about the possibility of residents traveling from higher-risk areas to others with relaxed restrictions.
The Governor says such residents should continue to stay home and not potentially expose others. "Please stay home while we work to slow the virus in Nebraska. We need your help to do that."
Since the start of the pandemic, Ricketts says the state has gathered and distributed 1.1 million pairs of gloves, 1.1 million breathing masks and 2,000 gallons of hand sanitizer to public health departments across the state.
Nebraska Economic Development Director Tony Goins joined Ricketts' briefing and announced the creation of the "Get Nebraska Growing" task force.
The task force will be led by Goins and will include leaders from various industries across the state. Goins says the task force will help identify and communicate the best practices to safely reopen businesses impacted by the pandemic. "We are working closely with our chambers of commerce who are acquainted with their business communities. Together we will come up with guidelines that prioritize safety while businesses can operate smoothly."