Confirmed cases of community spread in Lancaster and Saunders counties last Wednesday resulted in the implementation of a second directed health measure announced by Gov. Pete Ricketts

The new order is similar to one already in effect for Douglas, Sarpy, Cass and Washington counties. Douglas and Lancaster counties have issued their own county-level directives.

The orders limits gatherings to no more than 10 people, including weddings and funerals. The order also requires bars and restaurants to shift to offering takeout, delivery or curbside service only.

The directed health measure for Lancaster, Dodge, Saunders and Washington counties are in effect until at least May 6. The measure in Douglas, Sarpy and Cass counties runs until at least April 30.

The state’s other 87 counties are asked to follow less restrictive guidelines issued March 18 by the Governor’s Office. They will face similar directed health measures if community spread is detected in their respective jurisdictions.

Ricketts said that an indication by the Nebraska Department of Education that school is unlikely to resume anywhere in the state this year shifted the Governor’s Office away from using educational service unit maps for directed health measures to using public health department maps, which more closely follow county boundaries, making the administration of the orders earlier.

Washington County was under the original order, but it was also part of the second order – which supersedes it – because it’s part of the Three Rivers Health Department with Dodge and Saunders counties. Lancaster County has a shared health department with the City of Lincoln.

Cases of COVID-19 where the virus was spread within the community have been reported in Douglas County, which had three as of Wednesday evening, and Sarpy County, which had two.

 The state directed health measures are issued by the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services.