LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — On Thursday, Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts and others held a coronavirus briefing.
Nebraska’s tourism industry has lost millions of dollars in revenue to the coronavirus pandemic and will face major challenges as it tries to recover.
Nebraska Tourism Commission Executive Director John Ricks says visitor spending was $152.6 million lower in March than it was at the same time last year. The tourism commission’s revenue from a state lodging tax dropped nearly 60% as well, indicating that hotels and motels were severely hit.
Ricks says he’s hopeful that the governor’s recent moves to ease social-distancing restrictions on Monday will help. The upcoming changes will allow for larger crowds at public events, and Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo will reopen for the first time in months.
3 News Now Anchor Jennifer Griswold provided updates via Twitter:
Meat packing plant cases in Nebraska:
— Jennifer Griswold (@griswoldkmtv) May 28, 2020
2,985 confirmed cases
138 hospitalizations
11 deaths
Long term care facilities in Nebraska:
— Jennifer Griswold (@griswoldkmtv) May 28, 2020
107 facilities have had a positive case
87 validated deaths
3 long term care deaths have not yet been validated
There have been 163 deaths in Nebraska according to DHHS dashboard which is typically updated in evening.
Deloitte Touche will be the firm that helps audit and deal with CARES Act money for Nebraska. Governor broke down the details of how funding would be used yesterday.
— Jennifer Griswold (@griswoldkmtv) May 28, 2020
USDA Under Secretary Greg Ibach speaking at Nebraska news conference. He says precautions at meat packing plants have made it so the likelihood of getting the virus is no greater than getting it at grocery store.
— Jennifer Griswold (@griswoldkmtv) May 28, 2020
John Ricks with Nebraska Tourism Commission:
— Jennifer Griswold (@griswoldkmtv) May 28, 2020
Visitor expenditures in Nebraska from March 2019 to March 2020 is down $152.6 million
Nebraska Passport Program is back this year:
— Jennifer Griswold (@griswoldkmtv) May 28, 2020
Last year, Tourism Commission says it had a $24 million impact.
About 70 stops taking part
Starts Monday-10/31
Learn more: https://t.co/Fu219j7zSS
Governor Ricketts announced the daily briefings will go down in frequency next week. They have been every weekday. Will go to Mondays and Thursdays, so twice a week.
— Jennifer Griswold (@griswoldkmtv) May 28, 2020