Limited re-opening of certain Stage 2 businesses in California, Elk Grove could start as early as this Friday

In his daily briefing held today, California Gov. Gavin Newsom said the state could be prepared this week for the reopening of certain non-essential businesses. 

According to the Governor's Report Card indicate the state could be prepared to move into the early phase of Stage 2 of re-opening this Friday, May 8. Newsom has said the state will implement a four-stage reopening of businesses. 

As we move into the next stage of reopening, we will do so with updated guidance to help qualifying businesses make modifications needed to lower the risk of COVID-19 exposure to customers and workers," Newsom. "Californians should prepare now for that second stage of reopening.”

Stage 2 allows gradual reopening of lower-risk workplaces with adaptations including bookstores, clothing stores, florists and sporting goods stores, with modifications. Newsom also announced a new framework to allow counties to move more quickly through Stage 2 if they attest that they meet the state’s readiness criteria.  

Even though infection risks remain high, there has been growing political pressure in recent days nationally to ease restrictions. States including Georgia and Texas have loosened restrictions as some businesses have started to reopen. 

“Millions of Californians answered the call to stay home and thanks to them, we are in a position to begin moving into our next stage of modifying our stay at home order,” Newsom added. “But make no mistake – this virus isn’t gone. It’s still dangerous and poses a significant public health risk." 

Newsom's Report Card for how the state is doing in meeting key measures for moving into Stage 2 is based on several factors including the following: 

• Stability of Hospitalizations
• Personal Protective Equipment Inventory
• Health Care Surge Capacity
• Testing Capacity
• Contact Tracing Capability
• Public Health Guidance in Place

California has been in Stage 1 since the statewide Stay at Home Order took effect on March 16. Data suggests that Californians’ actions to stay home over the past month and a half have stabilized the curve as well as ICU hospitalizations.

Later this week the state will release public health guidance for certain Stage 2 sectors including some retail, manufacturing, and logistics businesses, which will mandate modifications that lower the risk of transmission. Businesses and employers in those sectors will be able to reopen as soon as Friday – if they can meet the guidelines provided by the state. 

Not all Stage 2 businesses will be able to open Friday with modifications. Some examples of businesses that can open with modifications include bookstores, clothing stores, florists and sporting goods stores.

Other Stage 2 sectors, such as offices and dine-in restaurants, will be part of a later Stage 2 opening. The announcement for Friday does not include offices, seated dining at restaurants, shopping malls or schools.

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