SARPY/CASS COUNTY, Nebraska - Through enactment of Directed Health Measures, the Sarpy/Cass Health Department, in conjunction with local law enforcement agencies have begun enforcement of public social gathering limitations.
On Monday, March 16, 2020, Nebraska Governor Ricketts provided guidance to help limit potential exposure to COVID-19 by limiting public social gathering to 10 or less people through the end of March. Two days later, the second confirmed case of “community spread” of COVID-19 was identified in Douglas County, reinforcing the urgent need for wide-spread social distancing strategies.
As a result, the Chief Medical Officer for the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services has executed Directed Health Measures effective March 19, 2020. Sarpy/Cass Health Department has implemented these measures to minimize close proximity in-person interaction in enclosed spaces, which is the main means of COVID-19 transmission. The Health Department is authorized to implement these measures as a means of limiting the spread of a pandemic or contagious disease through the State of Nebraska’s regulation 173 NAC 6 - “Directed Health Measures to Prevent or Limit the Spread of Communicable Disease, Illness, or Poisoning.” Directed Health Measures may be directed to an individual, group of individuals, or a population, or directed to the public at large with regard to identified premises or activities and may also Include public and private property.
From now through April 30, 2020, it is critical that scheduled events be modified, cancelled, or postponed. Public gatherings are generally defined as any event that brings together more than 10 patrons, customers or other invitees, excluding staff, in a single room or single space at the same time, including but not limited to, a school, daycare facility (including in-home facilities), gymnasium, salon, fitness center, auditorium, stadium, arena, large event conference room, meeting hall, theater, library, or any other confined indoor or outdoor space. This also includes weddings and funerals, as well as parades, fairs, festivals, concerts and other indoor and outdoor events.
Among other steps, the Directed Health Measure requires restaurants and bars in Sarpy and Cass County to close their dining areas immediately and move to takeout service, delivery, and/or curbside service only until further notice.