Nevada Governor Sisolak Declares State of Emergency to Deal with Coronavirus Outbreak

Nevada Governor Steve Sisolak declared a "State of Emergency" Thursday, to deal with the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak in the Silver State. The action is similar to that taken by several other Governors.

“This measure is not something I take lightly but it is my sworn duty as governor to protect our citizens,” Sisolak said at a news conference at the Grant Sawyer State Office Building Thursday afternoon.

Under the declaration, Nevada will be more easily able to tap into federal relief funds, like the $8-billion emergency spending package passed by Congress and signed by President Trump last week. State law also grants broad powers to the executive branch under a state of emergency declaration, including "whatever is deemed necessary to promote and secure the safety and protection of the civilian population."