Santa Cruz County to allow some retailers to reopen as state launches stage 2 of reopening
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY, Calif. (KION) Santa Cruz County said Health Officer Dr. Gail Newel will update the county's Shelter in Place order as Gov. Newsom launches stage 2 of reopening the state.
State guidance is expected to be issued Thursday, and starting Friday, retail businesses in Santa Cruz County can start offering curbside pick-up. Examples of businesses that will be allowed to reopen include bookstores, clothing stores, florists, sporting goods stores and others. Manufacturing and supply chain workplaces that support those businesses can also reopen.
“This step is an indicator of progress. However, we remain vigilant in our efforts to reduce the spread of COVID-19, and we will carefully review our disease models for adverse impacts before reopening other sectors of our community and economy,” Newel said.
Other types of businesses-- such as malls, dine-in services, hair salons, nail salons and movie theaters-- will still not be allowed to operate.
Business owners are asked to review state guidance when it is released to see whether they will be allowed to open and what kinds of services they will be able to offer. The county said that local law enforcement will make sure residents comply and will enforce the order. Violators could face a fine, imprisonment or both.
The county is working with Community Foundation Santa Cruz on the SAVE Lives Santa Cruz County initiative in an effort to increase testing capacity, contact tracing and quarantine and isolation services, which the county said are needed to reopen workplaces, community services and schools until a COVID-19 vaccine is available.
