As many of you may have heard, our beautiful state of California is onto stage 2 of reopening for business, as Governor Newsom announced on Monday.
This amendment to the Stay-at-Home Order means that low-risk retail businesses like clothing, bookstores, florists, and others, will be able to open but only for pickup. Of course, physical distancing, and masks will still be required, and are to be provided to employees by their employers. Employers still also require to provide a plan on how they will implement physical distancing and cleaning requirements. More details and guidelines on this new Stay-at-Home order will be announced Thursday by Governor Newsom.
As this seems like a very bright light at the end of the tunnel, we must remember the 6 key criteria that our state government is following:
- The ability to monitor and protect our communities through testing, contact tracing, isolating, and supporting those who are positive or exposed;
- The ability to prevent infection in people who are at risk for more severe COVID-19;
- The ability of the hospital and health systems to handle surges;
- The ability to develop therapeutics to meet the demand;
- The ability for businesses, schools, and child care facilities to support physical distancing; and
- The ability to determine when to reinstitute certain measures, such as the stay-at-home orders, if necessary.
It’s a slow road to recovery, directing us into what will most likely be a new normal, but California’s numbers are looking steady, so let’s give ourselves a pat on the back for flattening the curve!
