Clark County takes ‘dramatic step,’ closes nearly all its buildings

Clark County will close nearly all of its buildings, including the Marriage License Bureau, to the public beginning Wednesday “until further notice” in an effort to slow the spread of coronavirus, officials said.

McCarran International Airport, University Medical Center and courts will remain open.

Employees will remain at work at closed county facilities, including the county government center, and be able to communicate with residents by phone or email, according to officials.

And services that are available online will continue to be accessible, they said.

Outdoor park spaces will remain open to the public, but county officials strongly urged residents to follow social distancing guidelines set by health officials, including 6 feet of separation between people.

“These are uncharted waters,” county Commission Chairwoman Marilyn Kirkpatrick said in a statement. “While closing buildings to the public is a dramatic step, we believe it is a necessary one.”

Kirkpatrick asked residents to check on friends and neighbors, especially older ones, and to comply with hygiene recommendations and stay home or see a doctor if feeling ill.

Contact Shea Johnson at sjohnson@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0272. Follow @Shea_LVRJ on Twitter.