North Lake Tahoe continues to monitor the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak with guidance from local and state officials, along with tourism industry partners to ensure the most accurate and timely information is provided to visitors on this topic.
The safety of our visitors and local community are of the utmost importance to North Lake Tahoe. At this time, we ask that all visitors keep loving us from a distance, postpone travel plans and come back again when travel is safe and viable. When normal returns, North Lake Tahoe will be here to welcome you back with open arms.
FAQS
IS IT SAFE TO TRAVEL TO NORTH LAKE TAHOE?
- For the safety of all residents, North Lake Tahoe is asking visitors to postpone travel plans and come when travel is safe and viable. While social distancing practices are evident in our outdoor communities, the reality of an influx of visitors to the region will severely impact the small but mighty health care system, front-line service workers and the overall inventory of necessary supplies.
- In addition, the following advisories have been put in place in California and Nevada:
- California:
- Gov. Gavin Newsom has ordered everyone in California to stay home indefinitely to slow the spread of COVID-19.
- Exceptions include only essential trips such as grocery shopping and health care appointments.
- Outdoor exercise is allowed with proper social distancing of at least 6 feet, but it should be done close to home.
- Travelers in California should abide by the governor’s directive by staying in their accommodations until they can return home.
- Gov. Gavin Newsom has ordered everyone in California to stay home indefinitely to slow the spread of COVID-19.
- Nevada:
- Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak advised that everyone in Nevada should stay home.
- A one month temporary closure of public, private and charter schools was declared on March 15.
- All gaming machines and establishments were mandated to close.
- Nonessential businesses were required to close.
- Indoor and outdoor gatherings of 10 or more people are prohibited.
- A statewide moratorium has been placed on residential and commercial evictions.
- California:
WHAT LODGING PROPERTIES IN NORTH LAKE TAHOE ARE STILL OPEN AND/OR SAFE TO STAY IN IF NEEDED?
- For the safety of all residents, North Lake Tahoe is asking visitors to reschedule travel plans and come again when travel is safe and viable. While social distancing practices are evident in our outdoor communities, the reality of an influx of visitors to the region will severely impact the small but mighty health care system, front-line service workers and the overall inventory of necessary supplies.
- Please contact your select lodging property for information specific to your reservation and please consider rescheduling for a later date.
ARE SHORT TERM RENTALS AVAILABLE RIGHT NOW?
- Based on Governor Gavin Newsom’s Executive Order of March 19, short-term rentals can no longer operate for commercial purposes, effectively excluding vacationing as an allowable use during the pandemic. Under the state order, short-term rentals may only operate for the following reasons:
- To provide COVID-19 mitigation and containment measures (for example, isolation and quarantine or the housing of displaced persons or the homeless);
- To provide housing for essential critical infrastructure workers; and
- For use by the property owner and his/her immediate family members.
WHAT BUSINESSES ARE STILL OPEN IN NORTH LAKE TAHOE?
- Gov. Newsom has ordered closure for all California bars, wineries, breweries, and brewpubs and restricts access to restaurants to takeout, drive-thru and delivery only.
- All nonessential businesses including movie theaters, entertainment venues, bowling alleys, arcades, gyms and fitness centers are closed until further notice.
- Gov. Sisolak has ordered all Nevada nonessential businesses including casinos, bars and restaurants that do not serve food via delivery, drive-thru or takeout only to close to the public effective March 21 through the end of April.
- Please contact select businesses for information specific to their location.
WHAT OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES ARE STILL AVAILABLE IN NORTH LAKE TAHOE?
- California and Nevada State Parks have closed indoor facilities and campgrounds. Many California state park and beach parking lots are also closed. If visitors cannot maintain safe distancing in any public outdoor space, they should leave.
- Rural outdoor destinations including North Lake Tahoe have limited health care facilities and are treating coronavirus patients from their communities. Avoid visiting the North Lake Tahoe region at this time to reduce further strain on those facilities from non-coronavirus illnesses or injuries from physical activity.
- Public Boat Launches are closed and watercraft inspections will not be available until further notice.
- Ski resorts are closed.
- Concerts, festivals and events in North Lake Tahoe have been postponed and/or cancelled.
HOW CAN I PROTECT MYSELF WHILE TRAVELING?
- Travelers are encouraged to always exercise healthy travel habits when traveling and to follow guidance issued by official sources of public health information.
- Public health officials emphasize that social distancing is the most important strategy to lessen the spread of COVID-19.
- Gov. Newsom’s orders direct everyone in California to not gather in groups of any size.
- Gov. Sisolak’s order prohibits public gatherings of 10 or more people in Nevada. He has also directed proper social distancing of at least 6 feet for non-family members should be maintained.
- If you travel for essential needs, it’s recommended by the CDC to take the following routine precautions:
- Avoid contact with sick people.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands.
- Clean your hands often by washing them with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains 60%–95% alcohol. Soap and water should be used if hands are visibly dirty.
- It is especially important to clean hands after going to the bathroom, before eating, and after coughing, sneezing or blowing your nose.
- Cloth face coverings are now recommended in public settings on top of social distancing.
- Additional Healthy Travel Practices from the CDC
- Additional Prevention & Treatment Information
HOW CAN I SUPPORT LOCAL BUSINESSES?
- To support local businesses reliant on tourism, we are asking people to consider making donations, purchase gift cards and show their support with words of encouragement on their social pages.
- We are also asking that current reservations not be canceled altogether, but rather postponed to when travel is viable again.
Courtesy of the North Lake Tahoe Chamber of Commerce website
