There's a stark difference in how businesses in the Tahoe region have been allowed to operate, depending which side of the California/Nevada state line they’re located on.
But now that the Greater Sacramento region has emerged from its lockdown, businesses on the California side are opening up for the first time in over a month. In South Lake Tahoe, that’s literally across the street from Nevada, a state that's dealt with the COVID-19 pandemic very differently than California.
"Our hotels are able to start opening up to more than just essential travel and outdoor dining is allowed on the California side," said Carol Chaplin, President and CEO of the Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority. "That’s really helping our business and helping our spirits for sure."
In contrast, the Nevada side of the town allows for lodging to accommodate 100 percent occupancy. Inside dining is allowed, however, tables are restricted to four people. The state’s casinos also remain open at 25 percent capacity.
"It’s still pretty confusing and it does continue to change," she told KCBS Radio’s Patti Reising and Jeff Bell. "I don’t know whether that’s any different than our whole life this last year. We just keep looking for more information."
The region was given the green light to leave the state’s strict COVID-19 lockdown earlier this week, as projections from the California Department of Public Health showed its ICU capacity will improve beyond the 15 percent mandate.
Chaplin called the reopening "kind of bittersweet," as many COVID-19 restrictions remain in place under the purple tier, including lodging capacity, limiting outdoor gatherings to three households and maintaining a curfew from 10 p.m. and 5 a.m.
"I do believe that we’ll increase visitation and, of course, with all of our hotels opening up, I think that’s an opportunity," she added. "Of course, our ski resorts have been open this whole entire season, so that’s another opportunity for people to feel comfortable coming up."
Travel advisories issued by the state ask residents not to travel more than 120 miles from their home, making the Tahoe region too far for the Bay Area.
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