LAS VEGAS – Gov. Steve Sisolak has banned gatherings of 10 or more people in public spaces including parks, social clubs, libraries and parking lots.

While many Nevadans have adhered to social distancing practices to stem the spread of COVID-19, some are ignoring warnings, he said in a Facebook Live briefing Tuesday.

“Unfortunately, there are some who still don’t understand the severity of the issue we are facing and they continue to gather in groups and congregate, further increasing the risk of exposure in our communities,” Sisolak said. “The intent of this directive is to help not to punish."

Law enforcement must give warnings before escalating punishments to civil or criminal penalties. Sisolak did not elaborate on what the penalties would be.

“This does not mean your home,” Sisolak said. “This is not to prevent your household members from going for a walk. If you live inside together, you can be outside together.”

The no-gathering order does not apply to the homeless population.

The policy comes less than a week after Sisolak ordered all businesses to shutter, including all casinos on the Las Vegas Strip – an unprecedented measure that's triggered financial fallout throughout the state.

Overall, 278 Nevadans have tested positive for the virus while more than 4,200 people have been tested for it in the state. The number of positive cases in Nevada is likely higher — state, local and health care officials say they don't have enough tests to get a clear view of COVID-19's spread.

Addressing the lack of testing kits in Nevada, Sisolak said the state has four pending orders for kits. No shipments have been delivered.

Nevada has also placed two large orders for medical equipment – including masks – to help with the COVID-19 response. The state received a quarter of its first order and is expecting to receive a quarter of the second order.

Sisolak said there’s no telling whether the lockdown will be lifted by Easter – a projection made by President Donald Trump.

Nevada will act on the advice of health care professionals – not emotion or opportunity for political gain, the governor said.

“The enemy we’re fighting cannot be seen,” Sisolak said. “We can’t hear it coming. There are no warning alarms or sirens when it’s close, so it’s critical that as a state we remain on high alert with our defenses up – to do everything we can to hold the enemy off and eventually push it back.”

Sisolak announced he also signed an emergency order barring the use of anti-malaria drugs for someone who has the coronavirus.

The order restricting chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine came after Trump touted the medication as a treatment and falsely stated that the Food and Drug Administration had just approved the use of chloroquine to treat patients infected with coronavirus.

There’s no consensus among experts or Nevada doctors that the drugs can treat people with COVID-19, the governor said.

The order is not an absolute ban. Doctors in hospitals and emergency rooms can still prescribe these drugs to treat a patient diagnosed with COVID-19 if they so choose. The drugs will be restricted in outpatient settings to prevent hoarding.

Contributing: Associated Press.