Las Vegas casino operators are going to have to be patient, and allow the COVID-19 pandemic to run its course a little longer. Governor Steve Sisolak, perhaps responding to those calling on him to start re-opening the economy, has declared that Nevada is in “Phase Zero,” and will need more time.

In a Carson City April 21 press conference, Sisolak announced he would extend the state’s shutdown, which was previously expected to end April 30. “We now want to move into a phase where saving lives and restarting our economy are not mutually exclusive,” he said.

The plan, state officials noted, is to observe 14 days of “consistent and sustainable” downward trends in the number of COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations, the Nevada Independent reports. With the state’s curve of infections still not entirely clear, experts note they’ll need a few more days to determine if they are on the downward slope. “We’ll be working to provide graphing material, as we move forward, and to be as transparent as we can,” Sisolak said

When pressed to provide a date the state might re-open, Sisolak refused, preferring to keep his options open. “The reopening needs to be flexible, because it’s going to rely on data, and this is a virus. There’s going to have some real time decision making, if we see a spike in cases.”