Gov. Gavin Newsom announces start of Stage 2 of reopening

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP and KION)

UPDATE 5/7/2020 12:15 p.m. In a news conference Thursday, health officials announced that California will be moving into Stage 2 of reopening Friday.

Retailers, manufacturers and warehouses will be allowed to reopen with modifications. Retailers are expected to increase pickup and delivery options, encourage physical distancing and install hands-free devices when possible. Manufacturers are asked to close break rooms, create outdoor break areas and implement physically distanced seating. Warehouses are expected to carry sanitation materials during deliveries and use PPE for each stop.

Examples of retailers that will be able to reopen with modifications include clothing stores, bookstores, florists and sporting goods stores.

As the state moves into Stage 2, health officials said there will be more openings, including offices that can telework, dine-in options at restaurants, shopping malls and outdoor museums.

Health officials said all industries should perform a detailed risk assessment; train employees on limiting spread, screening for symptoms and staying home when sick and implement a site-specific protection plan, cleaning and disinfecting protocols and physical distancing guidelines.

They also addressed differences in how counties are affected around the state, and they said counties can move further into Stage 2 when they meet California Public Health criteria.

The criteria includes:

• Epidemiologic stability: Counties should have no more than 1 COVID-19 case per 10,000 residents in the last 14 days and no COVID-19 deaths in that time.
• Protection of Stage 1 essential workers: Counties show the ability to support employees who are sick or exposed and have disinfectant supplies and protective equipment available.
• Testing capacity: Counties should have minimum daily testing of 1.5 tests per 1,000 residents.
• Containment capacity: Counties should have at least 15 contact tracers per 100,000 residents and have the ability to temporarily house at least 15% of residents experiencing homelessness.
• Hospital capacity: Hospitals should be able to accommodate a minimum surge of 35% and have a plan to protect hospital workers.
• Vulnerable populations: Skilled nursing facilities in counties will need to have a more than 14 day supply of PPE for staff with ongoing procurement from non-state supply chains.
• Triggers for adjusting modifications: Counties should have metrics that act as triggers for slowing the pace through Stage 2 or tightening modifications.

PREVIOUS STORY: California Gov. Gavin Newsom is reportedly preparing to loosen the state's stay-at-home order to allow some businesses to reopen as early as Friday.

Newsom is expected to reveal new guidelines on Thursday that could allow reopening of some retail outlets, including clothing shops, bookstores and florists. But they must heed social distancing rules.

Newsom says the guidelines won't cover dine-in restaurants or hair salons.

However, three Northern California counties defied Newsom's stay-at-home order by allowing many businesses to reopen this week. On Wednesday, the Yuba Sutter Mall became the first mall in the state to reopen.