SLO County releases plan to reopen businesses, schools and public spaces
San Luis Obispo County emergency and public health officials released a proposed guide for a three-phased reopening, set to begin only after Gov. Gavin Newsom lifts a statewide shelter order.
The path back to normal is at least three-months long, according to a draft released Friday that includes guidelines and standards to reopen, along with guidelines for what might cause officials to tighten restrictions again.
It requires the county to closely monitor the COVID-19 pandemic and be prepared for a potential surge in cases — demands officials say they will accomplish with increased testing and maintaining the alternate care site at Cal Poly.
Retail shops, fitness centers and restaurants would be able to open in the first phase, but only if the businesses can meet certain criteria to reduce risk of community spread.
No specific dates are listed for when schools or businesses will reopen, but officials say the county is ready to cancel and replace the current shelter-in-place order as soon as the state lifts its order.
Under the proposed guidelines, large events like the Mid-State Fair can only proceed in Phase Three, which begins 60 days after the county enters Phase One and only with modifications due to the continued risk of a surge in COVID-19 cases.
That means, for the fair to open on its scheduled start date, July 22, state and county governments would have to lift their shelter orders by May 23.
START is an acronym for Steps to Adapt & Reopen Together, and reviews the epidemiology, healthcare and public health trends to drive decision making.
“We’ll all work as a community to remove risk, but we will not remove risk entirely,” county Emergency Services Director Wade Horton said at a news conference Friday afternoon.
First phase of reopening SLO County
For SLO County to enter Phase One, there cant be any significant increase in confirmed, local COVID-19 cases for at least 14 days, and no significant increase in deaths. Also, the state must first have lifted its order.
Business can only reopen under new operating standards that call for physical distancing requirements, increased hygiene and sanitation procedures. That may mean rearranged seating, limiting the number of people in the business and requiring staff to wear masks.
Highlights of Phase One:
- Businesses: Retail shops, manufacturing, personal care, restaurants, movie theaters, museums, places of worship, gyms and pools may be able to open partially and with certain modified procedures.
- Outdoor activities will open with some restrictions, including beaches, parks, playgrounds and campgrounds.
- Health care services like non-urgent surgeries and office visits can resume when healthcare facilities and hospitals are ready.
- Individuals can gather in groups of no more than 10 people, and must minimize non-essential travel. Masks are recommended while in public, and vulnerable populations should continue to stay home.
- Schools and child-care facilities will open on their own timeline, likely not in this school year.
- If the number of cases significantly increases for multiple days, the county might reinstate several closures.
- Hearst Castle and Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area will remain closed.
- After 30 days, the county would then enter Phase Two.
Gov. Gavin Newsom identified six metrics to determine whether shelter orders can be lifted, and on Friday, Public Health Officer Dr. Penny Borenstein said she believes the county has met the requirements of each metric.
“I am confident that our community will be able to take steps to adapt and reopen together,” Borenstein said. “This dynamic draft guide provides the public with our desired approach for a phased reopening of our communities and economy.”
View the entire document here: https://www.emergencyslo.org/en/resources/Current-Emergency-Information/Documents/START-Guide-v1.0.pdf
View a summary of the guide here: https://www.emergencyslo.org/en/start.aspx#Phase-One
START Guide: Phase Two and Phase Three
The guide calls for county officials to monitor data and trends throughout Phase One, and to progress to Phase Two after 30 days if certain health criteria are met.
Highlights of Phase Two:
- Additional businesses can open, including massage and spa services.
- Other businesses can remain open under modified operating standards to increase social distancing and reduce risk of spread.
The guidelines call for the county to move into Phase Three sixty days after Phase One began and only if certain health criteria are met.
Highlights of Phase Three:
- Most businesses and institutions can fully reopen with unrestricted operations.
- Large entertainment and sporting venues could open with modifications.
- Visitors can enter senior facilities and hospitals with strict physical distancing protocols.
- Vulnerable populations can resume public interactions, while practicing physical distancing.
- Everyone should consider minimizing time spent in crowds
Who wrote the guide?
County officials say how and when the county will reopen is ultimately up to the county public health officer, but they are gathering input from residents.
Borenstein assembled a panel of scientific and public health experts, along with an employment attorney, to assemble the guide. Aydin Nazmi (chair), Kevin Ferguson, J. Trees Ritter, Ann McDowell and Kathy Eppright.
In addition, a subcommittee of elected officials reviewed a draft of the guide before it was publicly released. That group included supervisors Lynn Compton and Bruce Gibson, and mayors of Arroyo Grande and Atascadero, Ray Russom and Heather Moreno.
Andrew Hackleman with REACH was the project manager for the START guide.
And, more than 200 people have had input in development of the plan, public officials said.
Those include representatives from the cities of Paso Robles (10 people), Atascadero (13), Morro Bay (16), San Luis Obispo (9), Pismo Beach (11), Arroyo Grande (10), Grover Beach (10) and Santa Maria (10).
Local business sectors also provided feedback on sections relevant to their industry.
Those include local Chambers of Commerce (8 people), education and childcare (7), faith institutions (12), tourism and hospitality (12), agribusiness (13), building and development (10), beverage industry (13), restaurants (13), labor (2), technology (11), manufacturing (8), transportation (11) and events and venues (13), according to a document provided to The Tribune by a county spokesperson.
This story was originally published May 1, 2020 at 4:27 PM.
