LINCOLN, Neb. (KMTV) — Governor Pete Ricketts announced Monday in his daily coronavirus press briefing that practices for softball and baseball teams can begin on June 1 and games can be held starting June 18.
He urged that no team organized games or practices are to be held in the month of May.
Once practices and games resume, Gov. Ricketts said there will still be various restrictions in place, including social distancing guidelines.
The governor added that athletes should use their own equipment whenever possible and avoid sharing items.
He said he's starting to allow softball and baseball practices because the sports don't put the athletes in as close of contact as other sports.
Additionally, Gov. Ricketts said it would be acceptable to have tennis practices and games resume due to the low amount of contact between players.
He also mentioned there's lots of capacity in hospitals and Nebraska is on track to prevent overwhelming the healthcare system.
Even in Grand Island, everyone who needs ventilators has them.
Gov. Ricketts reminded Nebraskans to utilize TestNebraska, with test sites now in Grand Island, Omaha, Lincoln and Schuyler.
With TestNebraska, frontline workers are continuing to be prioritized, including doctors, police, firefighters, those 65 and older and those who work in food delivery.
The governor added that the system is bogged down a bit with more people signing up.
Additionally, the governor mentioned Public Health Solutions, Two Rivers Public Health and other locations will be loosening restrictions.
With Nebraska's primary being held Tuesday, Gov. Ricketts mentioned all poll workers will have Personal Protective Equipment.
People from other counties will be able to volunteer to help out and ensure that proper staffing is available in counties in need of additional staff.
See more information below.
You can watch the briefing below: