SLO County allows more businesses to reopen, but it’s not back to ‘business as usual’
Four more sectors of business will be allowed to reopen in San Luis Obispo County while remaining within the guidelines of local and statewide shelter-at-home orders, public health officials announced Wednesday.
Drive-in movie theaters, fabric stores and cleaning and janitorial services will now be allowed to reopen, and houses of worship may now have drive-in services, the officials said in a news release
The announcement came two days after San Luis Obispo County allowed for recreational fishing, pet grooming services, elective surgeries and outpatient practices to reopen.
As of Wednesday, San Luis Obispo County has 142 confirmed cases of coronavirus, with eight new cases. That follows three weeks of a low number of new cases each day.
“We know some residents are concerned that we are relaxing restrictions too fast and others are concerned that we are taking too long,” county administrative officer and emergency services director Wade Horton said in the release.
However, the county said the decision to now allow eight types of businesses to reopen is data-driven and based on the number of new cases and hospitalizations each day for the past 14 days.
Although the four business sectors will be allowed to reopen, there will still be some changes to the way they operate.
“We are not returning to business as usual. This does not mean people can ignore the shelter-at-home order,” public health officer Dr. Penny Borenstein said in the release.
Houses of worship may have services in parking lots as long as people remain in their cars and physical distancing is maintained. They county is also discouraging the sharing or passing of any items between cars, according to the release.
And the same goes for drive-in theaters.
Cleaning services may operate so long as employees follow recommendations for physical distancing, face coverings and hygiene, the release says.
The county said that fabric stores are allowed to reopen because they will provide resources needed for the community to make face masks.
As these businesses begin to reopen, the county is working with community partners to create a phased reopening plan for once Gov. Gavin Newsom lifts the state order.
This story was originally published April 22, 2020 at 4:37 PM.
