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NNPHD COVID-19 DATA AS OF 08.02.2020
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Public Notice
Outline of Changes to current DHMs for Cedar, Dixon, Thurston, and Wayne counties.
In an effort to reduce spread of the virus that causes COVID-19, Northeast Nebraska Public Health Department (NNPHD) announces the implementation of UPDATED Directed Health Measures (DHM) under Executive Order by the Governor of Nebraska. These DHMs impact the counties of Cedar, Dixon, Thurston, and Wayne Counties. This order becomes effective as of 12:00 A.M. on August 1, 2020.
The updated measures include such things as:
A gathering is defined as any event or convening that brings together more than ten (10) patrons, customers or other invitees, excluding staff, in a single room or single space at the same time, including but not limited to, preschools, fairgrounds, fairs, festivals, auditoriums, stadiums, arenas, large event conference rooms, meeting halls, libraries, in-door or out-door arenas, tracks, bowling alleys, zoos, aquariums, swimming pools, or any other confined indoor or outdoor space.
For the purpose of clarity, a gathering does not include normal operations at:
- airports, bus and train stations,
- health care facilities and services (as defined in the Health Care Facility Licensure Act NEB. REV. STAT. §§ 71-401to71-475),
- other mental health and/or substance use treatment day programs which are not required to be licensed (such as Day Rehabilitation or Day Treatment),
- shopping malls and centers,
- or other spaces where ten or more persons may be in transit.
- typical office environments, factories, or retail or grocery stores where large numbers of people are present but it is typically unusual for them to be within six feet of one another.
- events at which members of the media may need to be present,
- courts of law, public utilities, state, county, and city operations,
- election offices and polling places on election day,
- logistics/distribution centers
- or family residences housing ten or more people.
- religious services (see Religious service section below).
However these settings are directed to use heightened, diligent and effective disinfection of exposed surfaces meeting the directions of the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Environmental Protection Agency.
- Gatherings are restricted to: fifty percent (50%) for an indoor facility's applicable rated occupancy (excluding staff) or
- Seventy-five percent (75%) for outdoor facility of the applicable rated occupancy (excluding staff).
- No gathering may exceed 10,000 individuals.
- Groups shall be no larger than eight (8) individuals.
- Six (6) feet separation between groups must be maintained.
- Parades, carnivals, midways, dances ( excluding dance recitals), street dances, and beer gardens are prohibited.
- Processions of occupied motor vehicles in which occupants do NOT leave their vehicle and attendees do NOT line the street or gather to watch ARE permitted.
- Drive-in movie theaters may open at full capacity so long as parties remain in their vehicles while viewing the movie
- Lines for concessions and restrooms areas must have an environment where patrons and staff maintain social distancing (a distance of six feet away from other persons) whenever possible.
Plans for reopening must be submitted to the local health departments and approved for all indoor and outdoor locations/venues that hold 1,000 or more in counties over 500,000 population before reopening is permitted. The reopening plan must contain planned number of guests, how the location will meet social distancing guidelines, and sanitation guidelines.
- Fitness centers/clubs, gymnasiums, gyms, health clubs, and health spas, are limited to 75% of rated occupancy and will be required to have a minimum distance of six ( 6) feet be maintained between all patrons.
- Beauty/nail salons, barber shops, massage therapy services, tattoo parlors/studios are required the use of masks for customers and employees.
- 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.
- Dine-in establishments shall limit parties to no more than eight (8) individuals.
- All individuals returning from international travel only will be required to quarantine upon returning to Nebraska for 14 days.
- Contact sports like basketball, tackle football, soccer, wrestling, etc. may begin July 1st.
- Limited and Non-contact team sports including baseball, softball, and volleyball practices may continue.
- Limited and Non-contact team sports including baseball, softball, and volleyball games may continue.
- Rodeo events may also begin starting June 1st.
- Wedding & Funerals
- Maximum of eight (8) individuals in a party (groups larger than six (8) will need to split into multiple tables).
- Self-serve buffets and salad bars are prohibited. Venue staff must serve food directly to all individuals.
- Dancing is permitted at private events ( events with set invitee lists, i.e. wedding receptions, proms etc.).
- Guidelines for daycare/childcare services have been updated
- Fifteen (15) children per room/space for infant to three (3) year olds
- Twenty (20) children per room/space for three (3) year olds
- Twenty-Four (24) Children per room/space for four (4) and five (5) year olds
- Thirty (30) school-age (K-12) children per room/space
All businesses are hereby reminded to follow any COVID-19 related safety guidelines established or published by their respective professional, regulatory or advisory associations or agencies relating to or regarding the use of PPE.
“Social Distancing continues to be our most effective tool to prevent the spread of this virus." states NNPHD Health Director, Julie Rother. "As the Directed Health Measures are relaxed please remember to use good social distancing practices such as wearing a face mask and maintaining at least 6 feet of distance between yourself and others when you are out in public. We need to consider that anyone could be infectious with the virus, even those who do not have symptoms.”
There is a statewide coronavirus (COVID-19) information line to help answer general questions and share the latest information and resources with Nebraskans to help keep them informed: (402) 552-6645; hours of operation are 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. CST, 7 days a week.
