OMAHA - A total of 89 counties, including the Omaha metro area and Lincoln, will move to what’s considered Phase 3 of reopening, allowing further opening of large gatherings, bars, restaurants, childcare centers and a number of other places.

Ricketts wants to “get Nebraska growing” after the economic hit from the pandemic. The governor’s approach is to reopen step by step, letting each phase prove it can happen safely.

Indoor gatherings can go up to 50% of their rated occupancy. Outdoor gatherings can go up to 75%. But in any case, they can’t exceed 10,000. But within that, individual groups can’t have more than eight people, and groups are suggested to be 6 feet apart. For places that hold 500 or more people, reopening plans or plans to expand to higher capacity must be submitted to the local health department. In Douglas County, that applies to places that hold 1,000 or more.

Restaurants can hold up to 100% of their rated occupancy — up from 50%. Instead of six people in a group, an individual party can go up to eight people. Patrons can now eat food at bar seating. Bar games are allowed.

As of late last week, hospitals around the state had 42% of their beds open and 45% of their intensive care beds available, according to state figures. Plus, 80% of all ventilators were available.

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