California will be ready to reopen some retail businesses by the end of this week, California Governor Gavin Newsom said during his Monday afternoon briefing.
The governor said that California is ready to start moving into “Stage Two” of the statewide shelter-in-place restrictions which has closed thousands of businesses in order to slow the spread of the coronavirus.
New guidelines for retail businesses will be issued on Thursday, which would allow businesses to open as early as Friday.
Clothing stores, bookstores, florists, music stores, toy stores, and sporting goods will be allowed to reopen. The re-opening will include changes such as curbside pickup, social distancing, and special attention to sanitation, Newsom said.
Restaurants, hotels, and other hospitality businesses could also be able to open during “Stage Two”, with similar changes, including social distancing. “Stage Two” allows individual counties to adopt self-certification to loosen State restrictions further if the county health director and county supervisors agree.
Dr. Sonia Angell, director of the California Department of Public Health said today that counties will be required to submit a readiness plan showing that they meet indicators for readiness that the state will define shortly. Angell also said that offices, shopping malls, and seated dining in restaurants will continue to remain closed.
It is possible that “possible community spread may occur,” according to Newsom. If so, the state may make modifications or impose new restrictions in response.
“I recognize for some it’s simply not good enough, and I recognize that deeply.”
California Governor Gavin Newsom
