Omaha and Douglas County officials say bar and restaurant owners should be prepared to limit the number of customers at one time to 50 or fewer in an effort to limit the spread of COVID-19.
Latest news & resources: netNebraska.org/coronavirus
The first community-spread case of the coronavirus disease was confirmed in Douglas County over the weekend. Gov. Pete Ricketts declared a State of Emergency Friday, and with the confirmation of community spread is now recommending limiting mass gatherings to 250 people or less.
"Everybody needs to be clear, to be on notice, particularly with St. Patrick’s Day coming up," said Douglas County Commissioner Chris Rodgers at a press conference Sunday. "We are having some strong discussions and are very likely to exercise powers in Douglas County to be able to limit crowd sizes to below 50."
Omaha Mayor Jean Stothert says she's concerned about the number of people in close contact expected at bars and restaurants on Tuesday.
"I also am very concerned about our first responders," Stothert said. "Our police department that would have to enforce these rules going into these bars, and of course our medics and paramedics who are transporting patients."
The CDC announced Sunday it is recommending the cancellation of all gatherings of 50 people or more.
The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services is recommending crowd sizes be limited to 50 people in Omaha if there are two cases of community transmission.
"But what we are saying right now is maybe it’s time not to wait for that second one," Stothert said. "Especially with St. Patrick’s Day coming up, and we know how people assemble in our bars here."
Officials also announced Sunday a long list of potential exposures to COVID-19 after contact investigations on the first community-spread case in the state.
They include hours-long blocks at five separate Walmart locations between March 2-7 and Creighton basketball games at CHI Health Center on March 4 and 7. The full list is available online: douglascountyhealth.com/latest-news.
Latest news & resources: netNebraska.org/coronavirus