Lincoln – Gov. Pete Ricketts issued a stern warning last week to try to pressure Nebraskans into taking steps to keep the coronavirus from spreading, but he reiterated that he won’t impose a stay-at-home order as at least 31 other states have done.

Ricketts said that it appears that statewide social distancing rules are successfully preventing even larger increases, but “we have to do more” to avoid overloading the state’s hospitals.

“Folks, we’ve got to do better,” Ricketts said. “I have by and large seen that Nebraskans are paying attention to this, but we’ve got to do better.”

Ricketts has repeatedly said he won’t issue a stay-at-home order, as a majority of states have done. Nebraska has taken a less restrictive, regional approach. State officials have urged residents not to have any social gathering larger than 10 people, but that request isn’t legally enforceable.

However, Ricketts has also ordered more restrictive “directed health measures” in the majority of the state’s counties. The directed health measures impose the same 10-person limit, but people who refuse to comply can be charged with a misdemeanor. The orders also require restaurants and bars in those areas to close their dining areas, but they can still offer takeout and delivery.

Asked why Nebraska hasn’t announced a stay-at-home order, Ricketts said he was following a tailored approach out of concern that imposing such an order too early might lead some residents to grow weary and stop following them, which would then allow the outbreak to worsen. He said more immediate action was needed in places like Omaha and Lincoln because the number of cases in those metro areas are likely to surge first.