Governor Pete Ricketts is urging Nebraskans to stay home over the next 21 days in order to help curb the expected spike in COVID-19 coronavirus cases in the state.
On Thursday, Ricketts proclaimed April 10-30 as “21 Days to Stay Home and Stay Healthy in Nebraska." Infectious disease experts project that the coronavirus outbreak will be at or near its peak in Nebraska by the end of April. For the next three weeks, the Governor is urging Nebraskans to avoid non-essential errands and to limit social gatherings in an effort to prevent the spread of the virus.
Ricketts has been called on to issue a stay-at-home or shelter-in-place order, but he says his proclamation is neither of those things. He says Nebraskans should see it as a way to "do the right thing" and protect those most vulnerable to the virus in the state. Adding that, "it is the civic duty of each and every Nebraskan to help slow the spread of the virus."
The Governor also announced a new statewide Directed Health Measure to guard against the spread of COVID-19. It orders certain businesses where six feet of social distance cannot be maintained to close through April 30th. The DHM also prohibits organized group sports through May 31st.