Governor Ricketts: Stay-at-home order not necessary for Nebraska

Nebraska is one of just seven states nationally to not issue a stay-at-home order for its people. Gov. Ricketts spoke with Dr. Anthony Fauci Monday and said Nebraska is fine with its directed health measures.

"We want to make sure people are doing more and we want to emphasize that," Gov. Ricketts said, "And we'll continue to look at the data, but as we look at the data we are seeing that we are different from other states."

Gov. Ricketts is stressing to follow specific guidelines for those with flu-like symptoms. "You need to stay at home," Gov. Ricketts said, "And everybody in your household needs to stay home."

While Nebraska is in a Directed Health Measure, Gov. Ricketts said it is similar if not more strict than neighboring states' stay-at-home orders. The governor used the comparison to Illinois; saying its stay-at-home order shall be enforced by law.

"Directive Health Measures have the force of law," Gov. Ricketts said, "That has the force of law and you can get a ticket."

During the White House press briefing Monday, Dr. Fauci called the measures being taken in Nebraska and Iowa "functionally equivalent" to a stay-at-home order, after his conversation with Governor Ricketts and Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds.