County announces state re-opening approval
On Tuesday, May 12 the state of California approved Lassen County’s Local Variance Attestation, which allows the county to consider increasing the pace at which it advances through Stage 2 of California’s roadmap to modify the Stay-at-Home Order.
The governor’s goal is to open the state in a way that minimizes the risk for COVID-19 to the safest extent possible. This would include limiting non-essential movement and mixing of populations, especially within jurisdictions with higher confirmed cases and delaying the opening of environments in which there is prolonged and close contact in the manner in which the business must operate.
Our county officials, as well as counties all over the state, have filed an attestation that we have met the readiness criteria. We are pleased to announce our Lassen County attestation has been approved by the state, and we are now moving from Stage 2a – Early Stage 2 to Stage 2b – Expanded Stage 2 with Attestation.
Early Stage 2 allowed the following sectors of the California economy to open with modifications:
- Curb-side retail.
- Manufacturers.
- Logistics.
- Childcare for those outside of the essential workforce.
- Office-based businesses (telework remains strongly encouraged).
- Select Services: Car washes, pet grooming and landscape/gardening.
Expanded Stage 2 with attestation allows approved counties to progress to open more rapidly, according to their county-specific plan for modification.
The following will re-open in Stage 2b:
- Destination retail, including shopping malls and swap meets.
- Dine-in restaurants (other amenities, like bars or gaming areas, are not permitted in Stage 2).
- Schools with modifications.
The following are businesses that are not permitted in Stage 2:
- Personal services such as nail salons, tattoo parlors, gyms and fitness studios.
- Entertainment venues: movie theaters, gaming, festivals, concert venues, live audience sports, nightclubs, theme parks, hotels (non-essential travel).
- Community centers: pools, playgrounds, and picnic areas.
- Higher education.
- Religious services and cultural ceremonies.
Tomorrow at 6 p.m. the Joint Incident Command for the County will hold a live Facebook question and answer forum to answer your questions.
For sector guidelines, contact the COVID-19 Call Center at 251-8100 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. or visit LassenCares.org or the Lassencares Facebook page.
