Moving quickly, El Dorado County leaders have sent documentation to Gov. Gavin Newsom saying they are ready to reopen restaurants, stores, some offices and shopping malls immediately as part of the governor’s “regional variance” program that allows counties lightly hit by coronavirus to open earlier than the rest of the state.
Under a plan unveiled Thursday by Gov. Gavin Newsom, counties that meet a series of strict criteria will be allowed to move forward, possibly as earlier as Tuesday, into Phase 2 of the state’s coronavirus battle plan, essentially reopening some lower-risk businesses.
Newsom plans to reveal more details on Tuesday of the concept. But El Dorado County, where some restaurants already have opened in defiance of the governor’s order, said they are ready now to press their case to the state that they believe they can reopen some businesses while keeping COVID-19 cases to a minimum.
El Dorado is one of the first counties to submit a reopening attestation to the state Department of Public Health. San Luis Obispo County and Nevada County also have moved quickly to attest to their readiness to reopen.
“I believe El Dorado County meets or exceeds the criteria the state requires for us to move fully into Stage 2 as quickly as the governor permits,” said health officer Nancy Williams. But Williams and other county officials warned businesses the reopening will require safety steps by individual owners, employees and patrons...
---
Phase 3 is expected to include nail salons, tattoo parlors, gyms and fitness studios, bars and lounges, movie theaters, gaming facilities, pro sports, indoor museums, kids museums and gallery spaces, zoos, libraries, community centers, public pools, playgrounds, picnic areas, religious services and cultural ceremonies, nightclubs, concert venues, festivals, theme parks, hotels/lodging for leisure and tourism....
https://www.sacbee.com/news/coronavirus/article242609621.html