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Ricketts says social distancing is a must and only buy essentials

Posted at 2:01 PM, Apr 01, 2020
and last updated 2020-04-01 19:17:06-04

LINCOLN, Neb. (KMTV) — On Wednesday, Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts gave his daily coronavirus update, echoing a message he has said over and over again: Social distancing is the most important tool we have right now.

Ricketts said that If you have to go to the grocery store, make it a quick trip for essentials only and go alone. He said people only need up to two weeks of supplies and there is no reason to stockpile goods.

“So if you're going to go shopping, go by yourself. Don't make it a big family event,” Ricketts said. “Go for the things that you just need. When you're in the store, keep your social distance from other customers, make sure you're staying that six-feet distance in the check out line, all those sorts of things.

If you aren’t feeling well, stay home. The governor advised asking someone else to shop for you instead of leaving your house.

Ricketts also signed an executive order which will loosen notary restrictions, allowing them to be carried out via online services. The governor's office says this will allow less face-to-face contact between people during the coronavirus crisis and speed things up for financial institutions.

Director Nebraska Department of Banking and Finance, Mark Quandahl said the order will include the following:

The Department of Banking and Finance requires banks and credit unions to file reports within 90 days of their formal financial examinations.

  • To help financial institutions adhere to social distancing requirements, these deadlines are being waived until 30 days after the lifting of the coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) emergency.

Companies licensed under the Installment Loan Act must have their books and records examined annually by the Department of Banking and Finance.

  • The executive order waives the requirements for these examinations to take place within one calendar year. It directs the Department of Banking and Finance to accomplish the examination as soon as is practicable to maintain the integrity of the annual calendar year requirement.

The Department of Banking and Finance requires some applications to be filed at its main office.

  • The executive order authorizes electronic versions of these documents to be submitted and allows associated payments to be made via check or electronic ACH debit transactions. These changes are effective until 30 days after the lifting of the COVID-19 state of emergency.

You can find all our coronavirus coverage, including an exposure-site map, here.

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