As Shasta County Public Health officials work to clarify the particulars of what phase two restrictions will entail, Governor Gavin Newsom has announced that some retailers may reopen but not have customers in stores. It’s part of a methodical four-step process to full reopening. It covers only a fraction of retail businesses as well as manufacturers and warehouses considered low risk for the virus. Stores that will be allowed to open with only delivery or pick up through curbside service include bookstores, clothing stores, florists and sporting goods stores. Higher-risk businesses like hair salons and gyms, offices and dining in restaurants will come later. some counties, especially in rural areas, have few virus cases and want to reopen more quickly. The Governor has outlined a plan for more stores to open and for counties to move forward more quickly with reopening plans if they meet certain requirements. They include recording zero virus deaths over a 14-day period and just one case per 10,000 residents over the same time period. Newsom says restaurant dining rooms shut down since March by the Coronavirus outbreak could begin opening in certain counties within a week or two. No dates were set, but the Governor said he will release guidelines next week for restaurants to reopen their doors. Some tools to help businesses and customers stay safe and make sense of it all are at shastaready.org.
Non-essential travel and large gatherings are still prohibited. While out in public, people are encouraged to wear masks and maintain social distancing.