Weekly Newsletter

As you know, we are still actively working to protect the State from the unprecedented global COVID-19 pandemic. The State monitors weekly reports put out by the White House Coronavirus Task Force. For the second week in a row, Nevada as a whole is in the yellow zone. While this is good news, we have learned over the course of the past 6 months that we can’t let our guard down. This is the time Nevadans must remain more committed than ever to protecting each other and the State’s economy. I have tasked experts in State government representing business, enforcement and public health to conduct a deep dive evaluation of current statewide standards and restrictions.

I have asked the group to review current statewide capacity and gathering limits to see how the State can make adjustments that are Nevada-specific and tailored for the economic and social activities in our State. Once this is developed, it could impact everything from church gatherings to business meetings. Again, the goal these experts are working toward is to ensure this can be done safely. That evaluation is active and ongoing, and I look forward to being able to roll out these announcements once a plan has been developed and finalized. This is the natural next step in how Nevadans learn to live with an active pandemic in the State.

- Governor Steve Sisolak

This Week

This week marks the Start of Hispanic Heritage Month. The vast contributions that the Hispanic and Latino community have made in shaping both the United States and Nevada are truly boundless. We are a great State and a great nation because of the impacts made by those with diverse backgrounds, which impact every aspect of our lives, from governmental leadership, agriculture, education, science, and most recently - the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. This week we also celebrated Mexican Independence Day. First Lady Kathy Sisolak and I were pleased to be able to record a video message to all those who celebrate this day.

Click image below or here for video message. 

On Monday, Sept. 14, the Governor signed an emergency regulation to support widespread immunization efforts to help the State prepare for a potential COVID-19 vaccine.

The regulation, approved and requested by the Nevada State Board of Pharmacy, authorizes pharmaceutical technicians with appropriate training to administer immunizations under the direct supervision of a pharmacist.

This emergency regulation will allow pharmacies to meet the increased demand for vaccine services and increase the State's capacity to expediently treat Nevada's population when a viable COVID-19 vaccine is developed and deployed.

Learn more here:

Congratulations Governor Brian Sandoval!

The Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE) Board of Regents voted to appoint former Gov. Brian Sandoval as the University of Nevada, Reno’s 17th president during a meeting on Thursday, Sept. 17. He becomes the first Hispanic person to ever be appointed to this position in the 146-year history of the University.

"Congratulations to my predecessor and friend, Governor Brian Sandoval, on his appointment as the new President of the University of Nevada, Reno. He has demonstrated throughout his career his dedication to the people of Nevada and our State’s education system. Education at all levels has always been a focus of both mine and his, and I’m excited for the opportunity to work with him to help advance higher education in this State. This appointment is much deserved and I am pleased that both the search committee and the Board of Regents were able to come together to find the ideal person and leader to guide the University’s future.” 

- Governor Steve Sisolak

Lear more here.

DMV Update

The new Reno DMV office will open November 2nd, 2020. This 42,000-square-foot building features 3 kiosks outside to expedite the customer experience, including the first drive-through DMV kiosk in the nation. Customers will be able to complete their transaction 24-7 without getting out of their vehicle.

More information to come. Visit the DMV's website to stay up to date.

Unemployment Update

• DETR is in the process of bringing on staff to support the Department’s call centers and is working with retired employees and staff from other agencies to supplement DETR’s workforce. 
  
  This transition will occur over the next 30 days. Nevadans can start or continue online PUA claims filing as before, and all claims data will be retained with DETR. Individuals with ongoing claims in the system are not required to take any additional action and are reminded to continue filing weekly claims. Individuals filing PUA claims by phone, should continue to utilize the same phone number to file claims by calling 800-603-9681. 

Nevada Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation and Alorica announce transition of call center to the State - Press Release 9/11/2020

• Nevada’s request of nearly $224 million, the maximum the State could ask for, will provide  claimants who were eligible the first three weeks of August with up to an additional $300 per week in temporary supplemental financial support. LWA payments will be issued to eligible individuals retroactive to the week ending August 1. 2020.
  
  Under the terms of program, funding for the grants will terminate when the balance of the Disaster Relief Fund (DRF) reaches $25 billion, or when FEMA expends $44 billion on this program from the DRF, whichever is first. FEMA continually monitors the DRF balance and should the DRF reach a level where funds will soon be depleted, FEMA will notify states that the program may soon terminate.
  

Nevada approved for Federal Lost Wages Assistance benefits - Press Release 9/11/2020

• Claim payments impacted by this past weekend’s maintenance have been reviewed, corrected and processed by the EmployNV system as of today. Claimants who saw a reduction in their weekly benefit payment total should be caught up today with additional payments noted on their account. Individuals can log on through EmployNV.gov to view payments and check the status of their account.

Pandemic Unemployment Assistance Payments Impacted by Maintenance Corrected; Payments Amended and Processed - Press Release 9/17/2020

• Finalized data from the Nevada Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation (DETR) show initial claims for unemployment insurance (UI) totaled 8,332 for the week ending September 12, up 381 claims, or 4.8 percent, compared to last week’s total of 7,951 claims. Through the week ending September 12, there have been 686,683 initial claims filed in 2020, 665,031 of which have been filed since the week ending March 14. The Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program, which provides up to 46 weeks of benefits for the self-employed, 1099 contract workers, and gig workers saw 10,318 initial claims filed in the week September 12, an increase of 486, or 4.9 percent, from last week’s total of 9,832. Through the week ending September 12, 451,497 PUA initial claims have been filed.

Initial Claims Rise Slightly in Regular and PUA Programs; Continued Claims Decline for 5th Straight Week - Press Release 9/18/2020

Official Documents Issued by the Governor

• Direct Support Professionals Week in Nevada (9/13 - 9/19)
• Hispanic Heritage Month (9/15 - 10/15)
• Constitution Week in Nevada (9/17 - 9/23)

COVID-19 Task Force Updates 

• COVID-19 Mitigation and Management Task Force approves Clark County and Elko County plans to reopen bars due to improved data and mitigation efforts - Press Release 9/17/2020
• COVID-19 Weekly Situation Report 
• Daily COVID Press Bulletins 

Stay up to date on the latest news from Governor Sisolak by following his social media accounts or by visiting his website.

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