Lincoln – Gov. Pete Ricketts may take a regional approach to lifting state social distancing restrictions, similar to the way he tightened Nebraska’s rules to fight the coronavirus.

Ricketts said he will follow a phased, “one step at a time” approach to avoid another flare-up of the virus. Nebraska’s statewide social distancing mandates are in place until at least April 30.

“We’re going to put together a plan that is right for Nebraska,” Ricketts told reporters last Friday. “That may involve doing something instead of on a statewide basis, doing it regionally.”

His comments came after a meeting between U.S. governors and the White House, and the Trump administration’s rollout of recommendations to reopen the country. Trump has largely punted to the states to manage the process after previously asserting that the decision was his.

The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Nebraska approached 1,300 last Sunday, and Grand Island remains the state’s latest hot spot. Hall County has the most cases in the state.

As officials consider how to lift social distancing restrictions, they are also preparing for the financial fallout of the pandemic.

Omaha Mayor Jean Stothert warned that officials are bracing for a huge blow to the city’s budget due to a loss of tax revenue. Stothert said city officials made the right call with social distancing restrictions and she’d do it again “in a New York minute,” but the city will impose a hiring freeze and reduce purchases to try to absorb the shock.

“It’s going to be a real challenge to work with each other to make sure we have the funding available to keep our city up and running,” the mayor said.