Stay-at-home order still in effect during Stage Two

Scores of area businesses are reopening this week, after the California Department of Public Health's permission to reopen under Stage Two of the California Pandemic Resilience Roadmap. On March 19, Californians were given the never-before-issued order to lower the number of infections and fatalities from COVID-19, caused by a new coronavirus, so hospitals and other healthcare facilities would not be overwhelmed. The order immediately closed schools, most businesses except those defined as essential, churches and entertainment venues to the public. For counties to safely reopen under the California Roadmap to Modify the Stay-at-Home Order, there are four stages. Placer County is now in the latter part of Stage Two. While Placer County was one of the first four counties in the state given permission May 12 to reopen more types of businesses, the county is far from being able to fully open. And the March 19 stay-at-home orders are still in place for all residents, unless they're working or shopping at allowed businesses or engaging in essential activities. "Stage Four is when we'll be fully open, and 'back to normal' with things like mass gatherings, and we won't be there until there is a vaccine, which could be a year away," said Placer County Health Officer Dr. Aimee Sisson. Placer County was allowed to fast-track in stage two because a strict set of criteria by the California Department of Public Health was met May 12. That includes a low number of COVID-19 cases; protection of Stage One essential workers; testing capacity to detect active infection; adequate infrastructure, processes and workforce to reliably detect and safely isolate new cases, and follow-up with individuals in contact with positive cases; satisfactory hospital capacity; and protecting vulnerable populations. On Monday, Newsom announced that six more counties, making it a total of 24 counties, met the state's criteria to move further ahead in Stage Two. If there are dramatic changes in COVID-19 trends, however, the earlier orders can be reinstated. "We can reverse the reopenings, if necessary," Sisson said, "if there's a possibility that the health system hypothetically gets a large surge, hospitals filling up, not enough PPE (personal protective equipment), that's when we discuss going back to early Stage Two and Stage One." Stage One required a wide range of businesses to close for a focus on safety and preparedness, making the workforce environment as safe as possible. Stage Two creates opportunities for lower-risk places to adapt and reopen, and modified school programs and childcare to reopen. Stage Three is creating opportunities for higher-risk workplaces to adapt and reopen. Stage Four is the end of the stay-at-home order and a return to an expanded workforce in highest-risk workplaces. Stage Two businesses now reopening in Placer County include shopping malls, such as the Galleria on Friday, office-based businesses and dine-in restaurants. According to county officials, breweries, wineries and bars can reopen beyond delivery and takeout if in-house dining is provided. Also now reopening are car washes, pet grooming, dog walking, tanning facilities, landscape gardening, outdoor museums and open gallery spaces. Stage Three businesses and institutions that may not yet reopen include churches, gyms, fitness centers, public pools and movies. Gov. Gavin Newsom announced Monday that the entire state could within weeks be ready to move into Stage Three if positive trends continue. Stage Four includes allowing large gatherings, large concerts and sports events with fans in attendance. Expect the reopened businesses in Stage Two to have some changed procedures. "The Galleria Mall will be open for business but it will not be business as usual. The businesses have to follow the state's safe opening guidelines," Sisson said. "It will not look the same as they're making significant changes. Many of the common areas will look differently, some areas will still be closed off because people can not gather with non-household members. All employees will be screened for symptoms and restaurants will be required to screen customers. There will be reduced total capacity." During the past weekend, area shopping centers seemed busier than in the past few months. "If we want our businesses to succeed in reopening, both customers and businesses need to wear face coverings if we want to keep cases down," Sisson said. "This is a strong recommendation. If you can't maintain six feet of distance, wear face coverings. In restaurants, servers must wear face coverings. Businesses do have the option to refuse service to customers not wearing face coverings."