Nevada Governor Steve Sisolak is working with health and education leaders on a plan that allow the state’s pandemic-battered convention industry to rise from its knees with conventions that have larger attendance that what is now allowed.
He hopes to unveil the plan by the first of next year.
During a news conference last week the governor said, “Right now, I am working on a plan to increase capacity to 50 percent for conventions beginning January 1st, 2021, to get business back to the state and get Nevadans back to work.”
The state’s convention industry has been as good as dead since the March Covid-19 lockdowns. Not much improved after casinos were allowed to reopen under stringent safety measures.
However, since conventions, by their very nature, involve large numbers of people, it has been difficult to come up with a scheme for bringing them back.
Currently gatherings are limited to 250 for most events, whether outdoor or indoor.
Recently Sisolak pleaded with organizers of conventions to return, noting that the state has adopted what he argues is protections that make it the safest state to host events.
He believes conventions can be held safely at 50 percent capacity. He told reporters, “A lot of these conventions plan months in advance, and I don’t want to lose the whole first quarter and second quarter of next year.”
His announcement comes amidst a new spike of coronavirus infections in Nevada and other parts of the country. He dismissed questions about being able to allow conventions: “I’m confident that we’re going to be on a downward trend,” he said.
