State of Nevada
Executive Department

DECLARATION OF EMERGENCY

WHEREAS, Nevada Revised Statutes, Chapter 414, authorizes the Governor to issue a proclamation declaring a state of emergency when a natural emergency or disaster of major proportions has occurred within this state, and the assistance of state agencies is needed to supplement the efforts and capabilities of political subdivisions to save lives, protect property, and protect the health and safety of persons in this state, particularly through a coordinated response; and

WHEREAS, the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are responding to an outbreak of a respiratory illness that has since been confirmed in numerous countries, including the United States; and

WHEREAS, the respiratory disease has been named coronavirus disease 2019, abbreviated as COVID-19; and

WHEREAS, the World Health Organization declared the COVID-19 outbreak a pandemic; and

WHEREAS, the State of Nevada has been coordinating with the federal government, as well as local health authorities, health care facilities, and providers of health care to prepare for, and identify possible cases ofCOVID-19 in the State of Nevada; and

WHEREAS, the nearby states of California, Washington, Oregon, Arizona, and Utah have been impacted by COVID-19 and have already declared a state of emergency; and

WHEREAS, there are multiple confirmed and presumptive cases of COVID-19 in the State of Nevada; and

WHEREAS, the Nevada Department of Health and Human Services is working with local health authorities to identify any other potential cases of COVID-19 in the State; and

WHEREAS, the Chief Medical Officer has reported that a public health emergency exists in the State; and

WHEREAS, the Governor has determined that the State of Nevada is experiencing events that require a coordinated response for the health and safety of the public; and

WHEREAS, Article 5, Section 1 of the Nevada Constitution provides: "The supreme executive power of this State, shall be vested in a Chief Magistrate who shall be Governor of the State of Nevada."

NOW THEREFORE, I, Steve Sisolak, Governor of the State of Nevada, pursuant to the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the State of Nevada, hereby declare an emergency and direct all state agencies to supplement the efforts of all impacted and threatened counties to save lives, protect property, and protect the health and safety of persons in this state. Under my authority, I will perform and exercise such other functions, powers, and duties as are necessary to promote and secure the safety and protection of the civilian population.

IT IS HEREBY ORDERED THAT:

SECTION 1: The State Emergency Operations Center be activated to coordinate: a response to minimize the impacts, and prevent the further transmission of, COVID-19 to persons in this state; and

SECTION 2: An Emergency Team be established to coordinate the response to COVID-19; and

SECTION 3: The Emergency Team will consult with the Nevada Tribal Emergency Coordinating
Council to ensure a coordinated response to COVID-19; and

SECTION 4: The Administrator of the State Purchasing Division, pursuant to Nevada Administrative Code 333.114, to the extent necessary, may authorize an emergency purchase for any amount, or provide the using agency with written authorization for the emergency purchase, including, without limitation, a description of the justification for authorizing the emergency purchase, and suspend the standard procurement process to allow the purchase of food, supplies, services, and equipment; and

SECTION 5: Law enforcement, including the Nevada Attorney General, will diligently monitor and investigate a coordinated increase in prices for goods or services, and particularly goods or services necessary for the health and safety of the public or that result in economic hardships, making false representations, ''bait and switch" practices, failure to disclose material facts in conjunction with the sale of goods or services, or the use of coercion, duress, or intimidation in a transaction in violation of consumer protection laws; and

SECTION 6: Law enforcement, including the Nevada Attorney General, will diligently ensure that persons or corporations act and perform in a lawful manner which ensures the safety, health, comfort, or repose of any considerable number of the public, do not offend public decency, or in any way renders a considerable number of persons insecure in life or the use of property.

SECTION 7: This declaration will remain in effect until the Chief Medical Officer notifies the Governor that the health event has been abated and the Governor issues an order terminating the emergency.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have here unto set my hand and caused the Great Seal of the State of Nevada to be affixed at the State Capitol in Carson this 12th day of March, in the year two thousand twenty.

Stephen F. Sisolak
Governor of the State of Nevada

Barbara Cegavske
Secretary of State