UPDATE REGARDING COVID-19 PANDEMIC AND IMPACTS TO THE CITY
A message from Mayor Roy Edgington.
Hello Fernley, this is your Mayor, Roy Edgington with an important update with regard to where our city is at with the COVID-19 pandemic.
On April 21st Governor Sisolak presented an update which included the decision to keep the schools closed for the remainder of the school year and continue distance learning. He also said in his press conference that Nevada has not reached the threshold to enter Phase One of the Re-opening America plan from President Trump. So for now we continue to operate as we have been.
The City has been closed for face-to-face business and all non-essential services since the Governor’s directive on March 17th, however, we are still open for business. As a reminder, all City Departments can be contacted over the phone or via e-mail. Please head to our website at www.cityoffernley.org where you can find a list of department phone numbers and email contacts.
In order to enter Phase One of the Re-opening America plan, we must (among other things) have a downward trajectory of covid-like cases reported within a 14-day period, which is not currently happening. However, as we all know, this is a rapidly changing situation, day by day and sometimes even by the hour.
We know the sacrifices during this pandemic have been significant for many of us, both personally and professionally, however, per the Governor’s health response team, social distancing is working. We are starting to see a flattening of the curve in our state. Lifting social distancing measures too soon and without a strategy can be compared to a parachute which slows the rate of descent, but if removed too early still ends in tragedy.
The good news is that Nevada’s testing capacity has increased tremendously from when the COVID-19 pandemic began.
The reopening of Nevada businesses is highly dependent upon expanded testing and tracing capacity in excess of what its currently possible.
Economic activity and recovery will require close collaboration between the state’s employers and state and local governments to ensure that the gradual lifting of pandemic restrictions does not lead to an uncontrolled increase in COVID-19 cases.
Per the Governor, once the outbreak has sufficiently declined, the goal is to progressively open up different types of facilities and industries in a way that allows people to gradually return to their normal lives while continuing to prevent the spread of the disease.
We ask that you continue social distancing, washing your hands, and practicing the other safety measures to remain safe and healthy. There will be a time when we get back to normal, or a new normal, but for now we ask that you be diligent in the recommended safety protocol, for your own health and your families health. Thank you for your time, stay safe and stay healthy.