In the western American state of Nevada and Governor Steve Sisolak (pictured) has reportedly announced that the coronavirus-related prohibition on the operation of bar-top slots is to remain in place for the cities of Las Vegas and Reno.

According to a report from CDC Gaming Reports, the revelation comes after state officials unequivocally closed all standalone bars as well as the bar-top slot areas in restaurants and taverns from July 10 so as to reduce crowds and help to stop the spread of coronavirus. The source explained that such venues host the vast majority of the over 19,000 bar-top slots in ‘The Silver State’ although these units can often also be found in local pharmacies, grocery stores and convenience shops.

Partial pardon:

CDC Gaming Reports detailed that bars and restaurants in a trio of rural Nevada counties were surprisingly allowed to dowse this ban from last week even though the state was still in the midst of a pandemic that had infected some 48,088 people for 830 deaths. However, the source clarified that this reprieve did not include Clark County and Washoe County, which are home to Las Vegas and Reno respectively, or the more rustic Elko County and Nye County.

Pointed undertaking:

Nevada has since gone on to chalk up a further 3,139 coronavirus infections alongside 17 related fatalities with Sisolak now reportedly stating that he is keen to move away from the earlier phased-in approach to lifting his state’s pandemic-related lockdown in favor of following a more targeted response model. As such and the Democrat purportedly used a Monday press conference to proclaim that ‘current restrictions for bars, pubs and taverns will remain in place’ until officials can conduct a full assessment of the risks in the four Nevada counties.

Sisolak reportedly declared…

“I want to be clear, in no way are we relaxing our mitigation efforts. We are taking a more strategic and aggressive approach that will target this disease where it is spreading and take action to stop it.”

Compound complaint:

CDC Gaming Reports explained that this delay has not pleased many owners of smaller bars and taverns in Las Vegas with a group of these having already filed a lawsuit seeking to immediately overturn Sisolak’s directive. This initiative is purportedly set to have its first hearing tomorrow while Las Vegas-headquartered bar-top slot operator Golden Entertainment Incorporated recently revealed that it was ordered to switch off all of its machines despite not having recorded a single coronavirus infection at any of its more than 60 Nevada locations.

Public plea:

Nevertheless, Sisolak is remaining defiant and reportedly pronounced that his ‘targeted approach’ to combatting the coronavirus pandemic ‘should work’ and will allow more sectors of the state’s economy to remain open if Nevadans ‘continue to wear face coverings’ while simultaneously ‘practicing aggressive social distancing.’

Sisolak reportedly proclaimed…

“Shutting down public and economic activity throughout the state is not sustainable in the long term.”