On Friday, more businesses are reopening as state, county and local COVID-19 restrictions are relaxed. This includes movie theaters, gyms, bars, hotels and motels, and professional sporting events (no audiences). These businesses are allowed to reopen as Riverside County has attestation protocols in place showing that the pandemic has not reached a threshold established by the California Department of Public Health as an extreme health crisis. However, that status can easily change if you do not do your part to help slow the spread of the COVID-19 virus.
If each of us abides by the following health guidelines we can allow these businesses to remain open and people can return to work. In Cathedral City, it is a requirement to wear a face covering in public including all essential workers with the following exceptions:
- When at home
- Driving alone in the car or with members of their household
- Children under the age of 2 years
- While outdoors and/or exercising outdoors as long as you practice social distancing of at least 6 feet between others and have a face covering readily accessible if encounter others and unable to social distance. (walking, hiking, golfing, etc.)
- Those who have a medical condition that prevents the use of a facial covering and certified by a medical professional.
Businesses must:
- Require all employees, contractors, owners, and volunteers to wear a face covering at the workplace
- Inform customers to wear a face covering – including posting signs and advise those standing in line
- Take reasonable steps to keep people who are not wearing a face covering from entering the business
- Refuse service to anyone not wearing a face covering
Face coverings are defined as dense fabric without holes, bandanas, neck gaiter, or other fabric face coverings. They also include PPE, such as N95 masks.
Additionally, it is a requirement for all persons to social distance in Cathedral City by maintaining at least a six-foot separation from all other persons except for members of the same household and medical providers with the appropriate personal protective equipment.
You should also continue to disinfect often touched items like smart phones, wash your hands throughout the day, and avoid touching your face.
If each of us can do these simple steps, we can avoid a second shutdown, and in the process save the lives of our family members, friends, or neighbors.
