Documenting Nebraska's path to recovery from the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020-2021

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Ballotpedia’s coverage of COVID-19 includes how federal, state, and local governments are responding, and how those responses are influencing election rules and operations, political campaigns, the economy, schools, and more.

This article contains a general timeline of noteworthy state government responses to the coronavirus pandemic since April 2020. It also includes details on three specific types of state responses to the pandemic:

Additionally, the article includes:


Response news updates

The following section provides a timeline of Nebraska's reopening activity beginning in April 2020. The entries, which come from our Documenting America's Path to Recovery newsletter, are sorted by month in reverse chronological order. The date shown is the day that we wrote about them in the newsletter. They appear exactly as they appeared in the newsletter.

June 2021

  • June 21: The state stopped participating in pandemic-related federal unemployment benefit programs on June 19. Gov. Pete Ricketts (R) made the announcement May 24.

May 2021

  • May 25: On Monday, May 24, Gov. Pete Ricketts (R) announced he would end all COVID-19 health orders at 11:59 p.m. Monday, including the requirement to quarantine if sick with COVID-19. Ricketts also announced the state would end its participation in federal pandemic unemployment programs on June 19.

April 2021

  • April 1: On Wednesday, March 31, Gov. Pete Ricketts (R) announced that local health departments will have the option of expanding vaccine eligibility to residents 16 and older starting April 5.

March 2021

  • March 22: The state moved into Phase 2 of its vaccination plan March 22, allowing people 50 and above to receive a coronavirus vaccine.

February 2021

  • February 1: On Friday, Jan. 29, Gov. Pete Ricketts (R) announced the state would move from the “blue” to the “green” phase of reopening, effective Saturday, Jan. 30. The green phase removes capacity limits for indoor events with fewer than 500 people. Individuals or businesses planning events with more than 500 people will still need to receive approval from the local health department. Ricketts also updated the state’s quarantine requirements for people who’ve been exposed to the virus. The updated requirements say people who’ve recovered from the virus within the last three months or received two doses of the coronavirus vaccine do not need to isolate. They should self-monitor for symptoms and wear a mask for 14 days.

December 2020

  • December 14: On Friday, Dec. 11, Gov. Pete Ricketts (R) announced the state would move from the orange to the yellow phase of reopening because the statewide percentage of hospitalized coronavirus patients had fallen below 20%. The yellow phase removes or loosens some restrictions, including the requirement that only members of a participant’s household could attend youth extracurricular activities.
  • December 7: On Dec. 4, Gov. Pete Ricketts (R) announced new guidance for long-term care facilities. Facilities can designate friends or family members “essential caregivers” if they provided support to the resident before the pandemic. The designation allows the caregiver to have more access to the resident and supplement facility staff.
  • December 3: On Dec. 2, Gov. Pete Ricketts (R) announced that up to 100,000 doses of the first coronavirus vaccines were scheduled to arrive in the state between Dec. 13-19, conditional on final FDA approval.
  • December 1: On Monday, Nov. 30, Gov. Pete Ricketts (R) extended the state’s coronavirus restrictions, including mask and social distancing requirements in certain businesses, through December.

November 2020

  • November 12: On Monday, Nov. 9, Gov. Pete Ricketts (R) announced new coronavirus restrictions would take effect Nov. 11. The new measures include a requirement that people in bars, gyms, and churches be kept 6 feet apart and establishes a 25% indoor capacity limit.

October 2020

  • October 16: On Friday, Oct. 16, Gov. Pete Ricketts (R) said new restrictions would take effect statewide on Oct. 21 in response to increasing coronavirus-related hospitalizations. Restrictions include a reduction in the indoor gatherings limit from 75% capacity to 50%, and a requirement that restaurants and bar patrons remain seated unless ordering, going to the bathroom, or playing a game.

September 2020

  • September 14: All counties except Lancaster County will enter Phase Four of reopening. Gov. Pete Ricketts (R) made the announcement on Sept. 10. At the time of his announcement, 27 counties were in Phase Four.
  • September 10: Gov. Pete Ricketts (R) announced that all counties except Lancaster County would enter Phase Four of reopening on Sept. 14. Currently, there are 27 counties in Phase Four.

August 2020

  • August 27: The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services announced the directed health measures for Phase 3 set to expire Aug. 31 were extended through Sept. 13. Sixty-six counties are in Phase 3. The other 27 counties in Phase 4 will remain in Phase 4 through Sept. 30.

July 2020

  • July 21: The Loup Basin Public Health Department became the first public health district in the state to proceed to Phase Four of reopening. Phase Four removes the capacity limits on bars, restaurants, and childcare facilities. Outdoor venues can operate at 100% capacity, while indoor venues can operate at 75% capacity.
  • July 7: On July 6, the final four counties in Phase 2—Dakota, Hall, Hamilton, and Merrick—entered Phase 3 of reopening. Under Phase 3, indoor gatherings are limited to 50% occupancy with no more than 10,000 people, and outdoor gatherings are limited to 75% occupancy with no more than 10,000 people. Childcare facilities reopened with limits that vary by the age of children. This brought the entire state into Phase 3.

June 2020

  • June 22: Eighty-nine of 93 counties entered Phase 3 of Gov. Pete Ricketts (R) reopening plan on June 22. The following businesses and activities resumed: bars and restaurants (100% occupancy with social distancing measures); gyms and fitness facilities (75% occupancy); personal care services (75% occupancy); wedding and funeral receptions. Under Phase 3, indoor gatherings are limited to 50% occupancy with no more than 10,000 people, and outdoor gatherings are limited to 75% occupancy with no more than 10,000 people. Childcare facilities reopened with limits that vary by the age of children.
    • The remaining counties— Dakota, Hall, Hamilton, and Merrick—entered Phase 2 on June 22. Under that phase, bars and strip clubs may reopen at 50% capacity, host parties up to six people, and patrons are required to stay six feet away from entertainers. Games, such as darts and pool, are prohibited. Gatherings of up to 25 or 25% capacity (excluding staff) for indoor or outdoor attractions are allowed in Phase 2. For larger venues, no more than 3,000 people are allowed, even if that number is less than 25% occupancy. Weddings and funerals can also resume, limited to up to 25 people or 50% occupancy, excluding staff. Phase 2 allows limited, noncontact sports, such as baseball and softball, to resume practices. Games are allowed to resume on June 18. Basketball, tackle football, soccer, and wrestling remain prohibited in Phase 2.
  • June 16: Gov Pete Ricketts (R) announced that 89 of 93 counties would move into Phase 3 of his reopening plan on June 22. The following businesses and activities will be permitted to resume: bars and restaurants (100% occupancy with social distancing measures); gyms and fitness facilities (75% occupancy); personal care services (75% occupancy); wedding and funeral receptions. Under Phase III, indoor gatherings will be limited to 50% occupancy with no more than 10,000 people, and outdoor gatherings will be limited to 75% occupancy with no more than 10,000 people. Childcare facilities can reopen with the following limits: infants to 3 years old (15 children per room); 3-year-olds (20 children per room), 4-5-year-olds (24 children per room); and school-age children (30 children per room). Contact sports, like football and basketball, are permitted to resume practice and play games on July 1. The remaining counties— Dakota, Hall, Hamilton, and Merrick—will enter Phase 2 on June 22. Under that phase, bars and strip clubs can reopen at 50% capacity, host parties up to six people, and patrons are required to stay six feet away from entertainers. Games, such as darts and pool, are prohibited. Gatherings of up to 25 or 25% capacity (excluding staff) for indoor or outdoor attractions, such as arenas, fairgrounds, libraries, or any other confined indoor or outdoor space are allowed in Phase 2. For larger venues, no more than 3,000 people are allowed, even if that number is less than 25% occupancy. Weddings and funerals can also resume, limited to up to 25 people or 50% occupancy, excluding staff. Phase 2 allows limited, noncontact sports, such as baseball and softball, to resume practices. Games are allowed to resume on June 18. Basketball, tackle football, soccer, and wrestling remain prohibited in Phase 2. Ricketts also announced that elective surgeries are allowed in all counties.
  • June 1: Eighty-nine of Nebraska’s 93 counties entered Phase II of the reopening plan on June 1. Bars and strip clubs were permitted to reopen at 50 percent capacity, with tables spaced six feet apart, and required patrons to maintain six feet of distance from entertainers. Games, such as darts and pool, remain prohibited. Gatherings of up to 25 or 25 percent capacity (excluding staff) for indoor or outdoor attractions, such as arenas, fairgrounds, libraries, or any other confined indoor or outdoor space are allowed in Phase II. For larger venues, attendance is limited to 3,000, even if that number is less than 25 percent occupancy. Weddings and funerals also resumed, but are limited to no more than 25 people or 50 percent occupancy, excluding staff. Parades, carnivals, midways, dances, and beer gardens are prohibited through June 30. People who traveled internationally are encouraged to self-quarantine for 14 days. The new phase allows limited, noncontact sports, such as baseball and softball, to resume practices, with games being allowed to resume on June 18. Basketball, tackle football, soccer, and wrestling remain prohibited.

May 2020

  • May 22: On May 21, Gov. Pete Ricketts (R) announced that 89 counties will enter Phase II of the state’s reopening plan starting June 1. Under Phase II, bars and strip clubs are permitted to reopen at 50 percent capacity, host parties up to six people, and patrons must stay six feet away from entertainers. Games, such as darts and pool, are prohibited. Gatherings of up to 25 or 25 percent capacity (excluding staff) for indoor or outdoor attractions, such as arenas, fairgrounds, libraries, or any other confined indoor or outdoor space are allowed in Phase II. No more than 3,000 people are allowed in larger venues, even if that is less than 25 percent occupancy. Weddings and funerals may also resume, up to 25 people or 50 percent occupancy, excluding staff. Parades, carnivals, midways, dances, and beer gardens are prohibited through June 30. Phase II also lifts the recommendation that residents who traveled to a country or a state with a widespread COVID-19 outbreak self-quarantine for two weeks. Under the new phase, only those who traveled internationally will need to self-quarantine for 14 days. The new phase will allow limited noncontact sports, such as baseball and softball, to resume practices by June 1, with games resuming on June 18. Basketball, tackle football, soccer, and wrestling remain prohibited in Phase II. Ricketts also announced four counties that were not included in Phase I reopenings will be able to enter that phase in June. Under Phase I, the following businesses will be permitted to reopen: personal services, such as salons and barbershops, and in-restaurant dining at 50 percent capacity.
  • May 18: Gov. Pete Ricketts (R) announced on May 15 that long-term care centers, such as nursing homes, will be required to develop formal plans on how to mitigate the spread of coronavirus among vulnerable residents who live in the facilities.
  • May 4: Restrictions were loosened in 10 of Nebraska's 19 health department regions beginning Monday. These reduced measures allow for the limited reopening of dine-in services at restaurants and personal care businesses. Nebraska is a Republican trifecta.


Vaccine distribution

This section contains a table of quick facts on the state’s vaccine distribution plan and a timeline of noteworthy events, including updates on vaccine availability for new groups of individuals, changes to state distribution plans, and much more. If you know of a noteworthy story we are missing, please email us at [email protected].

The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services released a distribution plan on November 18, 2020.

Quick facts

Nebraska state vaccination plan quick information
What governing entities are responsible for vaccine allocation and distribution?[1] NDHHS Immunization Program
Where can I find a quick breakdown of phases in my state? Vaccination timeline (tentative)
Where can I find the distribution plan? State of Nebraska COVID-19 Vaccination Plan
When was the plan first released to the public? November 18, 2020
When was the plan most recently updated? February 22, 2021
Where can I find answers to frequently asked questions? COVID-19 vaccine frequently asked questions
Where can I find data related to the coronavirus in my state? Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19)
Where is the state health department's homepage? Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services
Where can I find additional information about the state's vaccine distribution? The COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Plan in Nebraska - AARP

Timeline

  • March 31, 2021: Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts (R) announced that local health departments would have the option of expanding vaccine eligibility to residents 16 and older starting April 5.[2]
  • March 26, 2021: The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services announced everyone 18 and older could get vaccinated statewide at pharmacies participating in the Federal Retail Pharmacy program.[3]
  • March 22, 2021: Nebraska moved into Phase 2 of its vaccination plan, allowing people 50 and above to receive a coronavirus vaccine.[4]


School reopenings and closures

See also: School responses in Nebraska to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic

Schools in Nebraska were closed to in-person instruction on April 1, 2020, and remained closed for the remainder of the 2019-2020 academic year. To notify us of when schools were allowed to reopen statewide, email us. The timeline below lists statewide responses we tracked.

  • June 29, 2021: At the end of the school year, Burbio reported most schools were in-person in Nebraska .[5][6]
  • Sept. 10, 2020: At the beginning of the school year, Burbio reported a majority of schools were in-person in Nebraska .[7][8]
  • August 3, 2020: Gov. Pete Ricketts (R) said that schools were ready to reopen but would leave decisions on when and how up to local school officials.[9]
  • May 7, 2020: The Nebraska Department of Education released guidelines for reopening schools for the 2020-2021 school year.[10]


  • April 1, 2020: Gov. Pete Ricketts (R) directed schools to operate without students through May 31. This date was after the academic year was scheduled to end.[11]

Statewide travel restrictions

See also: Travel restrictions issued by states in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020-2021


Does Nebraska have restrictions on travel? No.

More information can be found at Visit Nebraska.

Timeline

  • March 24, 2020: At his daily press briefing, Gov. Pete Ricketts (R) asked residents who traveled to a country or a state with a widespread COVID-19 outbreak to self-quarantine for two weeks.[12] This was a recommendation and not legally binding.


Noteworthy lawsuits

See also: Lawsuits about state actions and policies in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020-2021

Ballotpedia has not covered any noteworthy lawsuits in this state. Click the link above to see noteworthy lawsuits filed in response to the coronavirus pandemic in other states.

Officials and candidates diagnosed with or quarantined due to coronavirus

See also: Government official, politician, and candidate deaths, diagnoses, and quarantines due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020-2021

The table below lists officials or candidates who have been diagnosed with or quarantined due to coronavirus. The most recent announcements appear first.

Name Office Date Status
Mike Groene Nebraska State Senate District 42 November 9, 2020 Groene announced that he had contracted COVID-19 in late October.[13]
Mike Moser Nebraska State Senate District 22 May 25, 2020 On May 25, 2020, a Nebraska state senator who wished to remain anonymous confirmed that Moser had been hospitalized due to COVID-19.[14]
Pete Ricketts Governor of Nebraska February 1, 2021 Ricketts announced that he would self-quarantine after coming into contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19 .[15]

Status of industries, May 15 through July 31

Between May 15 and July 31, we conducted detailed tracking of industries and activities in each state daily.

  • "Yes" means an activity was allowed or an industry was permitted to open. "No" means an activity was not allowed or an industry was not permitted to reopen.
  • Some rules were applied regionally rather than statewide. Each cell shows the loosest restriction in place at the time, or the broadest level of an activity permitted in the state, even if that activity was only permitted regionally. Where applicable, we indicated that an activity was only permitted regionally, and provided details in a cell note. For example, if gyms were permitted to open in half of a state, the spreadsheet would say "Yes (regionally)," and differences between the regions would be explained in a note.
  • A lack of detail in a note or parentheses does not necessarily mean that an activity or industry was "back to normal." We did our best to capture caveats, exceptions, and modifications to activities. We acknowledge, though, that states put forth a large number of requirements for many industries and activities.

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Paths to recovery by state

To read about other states’ responses and recoveries, click one of the links below:

Other state government responses

To view previous coverage areas, including changes to 2020 election dates and policies, initial stay-at-home orders, coronavirus-related legislation, and much more, click a state in the map below.

https://ballotpedia.org/Government_responses_to_and_political_effects_of_the_coronavirus_pandemic,_2020_(STATE)

General resources

The chart below shows coronavirus statistics from countries across the world. The information is provided by Real Clear Politics.

Click the links below to explore official resources related to the coronavirus outbreak.

See also

Footnotes

  1. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named section7
  2. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named NE331
  3. ↑ Lincoln Journal Star, "DHHS announces Federal Retail Pharmacy sites in Nebraska open COVID-19 vaccine up to 18 and older," accessed March 30, 2021
  4. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named NE322
  5. ↑ Burbio rated Nebraska's in-person index at 94. To read more about Burbio's school opening tracker, click here. To read more about Burbio's methodology, click here.
  6. ↑ Burbio, "Burbio's K-12 School Opening Tracker," accessed Oct. 8, 2021
  7. ↑ Burbio rated Nebraska's in-person index between 60-80. To read more about Burbio's school opening tracker, click here. To read more about Burbio's methodology, click here.
  8. ↑ Burbio, "Burbio's K-12 School Opening Tracker," accessed Oct. 8, 2021
  9. ↑ Omaha World-Herald, "Gov. Ricketts: Decision to reopen schools must rest with policymakers," August 3, 2020
  10. ↑ Nebraska Department of Education, "NDE’S LAUNCH NEBRASKA PROVIDES SUPPORT FOR UNFINISHED LEARNING, RESTARTING SCHOOLS," May 7, 2020
  11. ↑ 3NewsNow, "Gov. Ricketts directs Nebraska schools to operate without students through May 31," April 1, 2020
  12. ↑ Omaha World-Herald, "Ricketts calls for Nebraskans to self-quarantine after travel to Denver, K.C., Chicago," March 24, 2020
  13. ↑ Omaha World-Herald', "'I finally got my wish': Sen. Groene, who wants herd immunity, catches coronavirus," November 10, 2020
  14. ↑ Omaha World-Herald, "Nebraska Sen. Mike Moser hospitalized with COVID-19," May 25, 2020
  15. ↑ KETV, "Gov. Ricketts says he is in quarantine following COVID-19 exposure," February 1, 2021
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