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Large gatherings and full stores in Omaha and Lincoln have health officials and city leaders worried that residents aren’t taking the coronavirus crisis seriously.
Over the weekend, Omaha mayor Jean Stothert made a plea to the people of Omaha: stay home. Stothert, alongside Douglas County health director Adi Pour, named a few box stores that had full parking lots and said managers should reduce store crowds.
“We don’t want to have to take that next step and close these stores down because people are buying their food there," Stothert said. "People are buying the things that they need, but they are not being compliant, we are seeing.”
The Omaha Police Department has responded to several complaints of crowds in parking lots, or businesses that shouldn’t be open.
“Cabin fever can kind of get rough, and you want to get out and do things but remember that social distancing," Joe Nickerson, a department spokesman told NET News. "Keep your distance. Don’t be gathering in groups.”
Omaha police responded to a call at Legends Patio and Grill on Sunday, where 30 people had gathered in the parking lot. Nebraska state senator Justin Wayne of Omaha said on Facebook that hundreds of people gathered at Carter Lake Sunday.
Lincoln police broke up a birthday gathering of 30 people on Friday night, which was one of six total calls about public gatherings LPD has received.
Police departments in Grand Island, Kearney, North Platte and Scottsbluff all told NET News they haven’t seen large public gatherings.