The Shasta County Local Variance Attestation, a path toward re-opening the county, has been posted by the California Department of Public Health, which allows the county to move more quickly through Stage 2 of the state’s re-opening plan. This plan ensures a coordinated approach to safely and gradually re-open the county while addressing both the public health and economic emergencies created by COVID-19.
The Board of Supervisors endorsed the attestation on Friday afternoon.
Key items to note:
• We can only open because we are prepared. We may need to roll back if the situation changes, as we still need to protect our vulnerable neighbors.
• Vulnerable individuals aged 65 years and older, or with underlying medical conditions, should remain at home as much as possible.
• People still need to avoid non-essential travel and mass gatherings. Our local businesses are able to safely open – with adaptations – because we have these other protections in place.
• The staged plan is necessary to continue to limit the spread of COVID-19 and relies fully on the engagement and cooperation of individuals and businesses. We must create a safe “new normal” for how businesses function and how social interactions can occur.
“We appreciate the support of the California Department of Public Health in assisting us with this process,” said Shasta County Health Officer Karen Ramstrom.
A list of businesses that are now open is listed on Page 2, and guidance and checklists for the individual sectors is listed at www.ShastaReady.org (click on “Roadmap to Recovery”).
What businesses can open now?
• Office-based businesses (telework remains strongly encouraged)
• Destination retail, including shopping malls and swap meets
• Personal services, limited to car washes, pet grooming, tanning facilities, and landscape gardening
• Dine-in restaurants (other facility amenities, like bars or gaming areas, are not permitted)
• Outdoor museums and open gallery spaces
• Supply chains supporting the above businesses, in manufacturing and logistical sectors
Other sectors, with adaptations:
• Outdoor recreation: Public spaces such as parks, trails, and golf courses should limit crowds and ensure physical distancing. Use of boats should be limited to household contacts or half occupancy.
• Childcare and summer programs: children should receive care in groups of 12 or fewer. If multiple groups of children are within the same facility, keep the same childcare worker with the same children in order to minimize risk.
• School: preparations for Shasta County schools which are scheduled to resume the week of August 10, 2020.
• Faith community: continue remote offerings.
• Healthcare services: may continue to gradually resume based on guidance outlined in Stage 1 above. Includes routine medical care, dental care and optometry.
What businesses can NOT open yet?
These businesses are not in Stage 1 or 2 and are considered Higher-Risk Workplaces:
• Personal services such as nail salons, tattoo parlors, gyms and fitness studios
• Hospitality services, such as bars and lounges
• Entertainment venues, such as movie theaters, state gaming facilities, and pro sports
• Indoor museums, kids museums and gallery spaces, zoos, and libraries
• Community centers, including public pools, playgrounds, and picnic areas
• Religious services and cultural ceremonies
• Nightclubs
• Concert venues
• Festivals
• Theme parks
• Hotels/lodging for leisure and tourism
Source: State of California, Roadmap to Recovery
