Governor Newsom announced that additional categories of Stage 2 businesses (office workspaces, outdoor museums, and car washes) can open in California. The governor will allow dine-in restaurants to open that can abide by the following state guidelines (https://covid19.ca.gov/pdf/guidance-dine-in-restaurants.pdf) and their protocols have been certified by the county public health authorities. Riverside County will soon submit their plan to begin this process for authorization.
From the California Department of Public Health:
SACRAMENTO – California Department of Public Health Director and State Health Officer Dr. Sonia Angell announced today additional sectors that can open statewide as part of Stage 2. These include office workspaces where teleworking is not possible, outdoor museums and limited personal services — such as car washes, dog-grooming and landscaping — with protections to limit the spread of COVID-19 as the state continues to modify its Stay at Home order. Statewide guidance for these sectors is available.
The state as a whole is in early Stage 2 of the Pandemic Resilience Roadmap to reopening. Counties with more restrictive Stay at Home orders may move more slowly than the state as a whole at this stage.
Today during his daily COVID-19 update, Governor Newsom announced that the state’s first two counties, Butte and El Dorado, have attested that they have met certain criteria necessary to move further into Stage 2. These counties can begin reopening dine-in restaurants and shopping malls, with modifications.
“Thanks to the millions of Californians who stepped up and followed our public health guidance, we are flattening the curve and beginning to modify our Stay at Home order,” said Governor Newsom. “We know that one size doesn’t fit all. We recognize that certain parts of our state have been hit harder while other regions have felt less impact from COVID-19. We will continue our active engagement with counties to begin easing the Stay at Home order only when the science, data and public health tell us it’s safe to do so.”
As those counties move further into Stage 2, every business should take steps to reduce the risk of COVID-19 including creating a plan to prepare for re-opening, making important changes within the workplace, adjusting employee practices and educating customers.
California moved into Stage 2 of modifying the state’s Stay at Home order on May 8, 2020. Our progress in achieving key public health metrics will allow gradual reopening of California’s economy. Customers and employees are encouraged to stay home if they have a fever or COVID-19 symptoms. Everyone should follow physical distancing guidelines and stay 6 feet away from others and wear a face covering when appropriate. To prevent the further spread of COVID-19 to and within other jurisdictions within the state, Californians should not travel significant distances and continue to stay close to home.
