775-328-2447

Bars in Washoe County Set To Reopen Next Week

Regional partners are working with bar owners on safe reopening procedures

Health District Hotline:
775.328.2427

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Reno/Sparks, NV – The regional entities in Washoe County are working with the Governor’s Office on finalizing COVID-19 health and safety measures to reopen bars, taverns, pubs, breweries and wineries in Washoe County next week. The actual date and time of opening has not been established.

The local jurisdictions (Cities of Reno and Sparks, Washoe County) partnered with the Washoe County Bar/Taproom Coalition, a group of bar owners engaged to reopen bars safely, to communicate the updated COVID-19 mitigation measures, and a meeting will be set up with bar owners to go over the COVID-19 health and safety measures.

The Nevada Mitigation and Management Task Force on Thursday approved the Washoe County COVID-19 Action Plan, which had requested that bars reopen in Washoe County. The Task Force requested additional information to support the plan, but allowed bars to open no later than Wednesday, Sept. 16, at 11:59 p.m.

The Washoe County Health District urged the Task Force to reopen bars because of the disproportionate number of COVID-19 cases in Washoe County related to private parties and gatherings at residences. The Health District argued that bars with strict COVID-19 mitigation measures in place (face coverings, social distancing, etc.) could be a safer alternative.

Once the COVID-19 health and safety measures are finalized, approved and a date and time of reopening is established, the Regional Information Center will notify the public and bar owners of the new information.

More information for businesses about COVID-19 health and safety measures can be found here.  

The COVID-19 Regional Information Center is working together to deliver COVID-19 community updates in a unified manner. While press releases are only sent periodically for significant events, you can always get daily results on our website, https://covid19washoe.com/, our COVID-19 Dashboard or by following 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.