REGIONAL INFORMATION CENTER UPDATE APRIL 15

Reno/Sparks, NV –The Regional Information Center today is reporting the following messages for public awareness and education.

Social Distancing Practices
The Regional Information Center advises our residents to continue practicing social distancing. If you are in the community whether as an essential worker or managing an essential errand such as grocery shopping or picking up medications, please stand 6-feet apart from those nearby. Additionally, the public is encouraged to wear a protective face covering. Social distancing helps flatten the curve, and our essential workers including but not limited to healthcare, grocery and convenience stores, gas stations, postal employees, construction, and transit workers appreciate the public’s diligence. Learn how to make a face covering from the Surgeon General by clicking HERE.

 Alarming spike in vehicle burglaries is a reminder to lock doors

Washoe County Sheriff Darin Balaam reports that his office is responding to an alarming increase in vehicle burglary calls, most of these cases involve unlocked cars. Click here for details and safety tips from the Sheriff’s Office.

 What is the Edison Housing Project?

Numerous public and private partners are proactively planning to respond to an uptick in COVID-19 cases by creating increased capacity for care in our region.

This includes the new housing project set up on the corner of Edison Way and Mill Street in Reno. This will serve as a resource for people that may not be able to isolate in a home of their own. The housing project offers self-contained rooms complete with restrooms and security on premises, for a total of 300 beds, providing a temporary solution for a potential oncoming surge.

Updated Regional COVID-19 Business Operations Guide

The Regional COVID-19 Business Operations Guide is updated with new guidance and directives. The guide summarizes operational restrictions and mandatory closures for certain types of businesses during this public health emergency. In this update, you will find:

• New restrictions and guidance from the Nevada Health Response in relation to the Governor’s latest directive on:
  • Publicly accessible sporting and recreation facilities that encourage social congregation (such as golf courses);
  • Showrooms for the sale of goods at essential businesses;
  • Places of worship;
  • Real estate showings; and
  • In-home beauty services.

• Updated alcohol sale guidelines for restaurants, breweries, wineries, and distilleries.

• New guidance for grocery stores and other retail businesses providing safety standards for employees and customers.

Please also check out the updated Operational Guidelines for Essential Businesses handout that can be posted at your business establishment. Download the 8.5x11 version or the 11x17 version.

Virtual Town Hall focuses on business - Friday, April 17

The Regional Information Center will take the community's COVID-19 business questions in our second Virtual Town Hall on Friday, April 17 at 1 p.m. The town hall will feature a panel of business experts and regional leaders. In total, the community has submitted more than 300 questions; we thank you for your engagement and will try to address as many questions as we can in these virtual town halls.

 The COVID-19 Regional Information Center is working together to deliver COVID-19 community updates in a unified manner. Follow us on Twitter @COVID19Washoe. The entities include: City of Reno, City of Sparks, North Lake Tahoe Fire Protection District, Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe, Regional Transportation Commission, REMSA, Reno Sparks Indian Colony, Reno Police Department, Reno Fire Department, Truckee Meadows Fire Protection District, University of Nevada, Reno, Washoe County, Washoe County Health District, Washoe County School District and Washoe County Sheriff’s Office. Also in the group are the area hospitals, Northern Nevada Medical Center, Renown Health and Saint Mary’s.