Coronavirus updates: SLO County wineries reopen, Caltrans opens rest areas
San Luis Obispo County added three coronavirus cases on Tuesday. More than 300 local residents have now tested positive for COVID-19 since March, according to ReadySLO.org.
As the pandemic continues, locals are finding new ways to connect.
Here are your local updates for Tuesday:
Caltrans reopens rest areas following coronavirus-related closures
Three Central Coast rest stops will reopen at 9 a.m. Thursday following a nearly three-month closure due to COVID-19, according to a Caltrans news release.
The stops are located along Highway 46 in Shandon in San Luis Obispo County, Highway 101 near Camp Roberts in southern Monterey County and Highway 101 in Gaviota in Santa Barbara County.
Local wineries reopen for tasting
San Luis Obispo County wineries are adjusting to new ways of operating during the coronavirus pandemic.
While some local wineries have remained closed to wine tasting on site, others have reopened their tasting rooms under Stage 2 of the state’s reopening plan. They’re serving meals — catered, pre-packaged or prepared in kitchens on site — to pair with their wines.
Full-service tasting cannot begin until Stage 3 of the state’s reopening plan begins.
SLO County passes 300 coronavirus cases
San Luis Obispo County passed the 300-case mark Tuesday, adding three confirmed coronavirus cases.
A total of 302 local residents have now tested positive for COVID-19 since March, according to ReadySLO.org.
Two of the three newest cases are in Nipomo, and one is in the city of San Luis Obispo.
Of the total COVID-19 cases, 29 are active.
SLO County woman visits husband through nursing home window
Debi Sokyrka doesn’t let coronavirus restrictions keep her from visiting her husband, even though she can’t go to his room.
Instead, she peers through a large window at his skilled nursing home in Arroyo Grande as the two chat via cellphone.
Nationwide, skilled care facilities have been hit hard by coronavirus, resulting in hospitalizations and deaths.
As of Monday, three employees at San Luis Obispo County licensed skilled nursing facilities had tested positive for COVID-19, including a certified nursing assistant at Danish Care Center in Atascadero.
No residents of Compass Health skilled nursing facilities have tested positive for the virus, Compass Health CEO Darren Smith said in May.
SLO County bars, gyms may be able to open this week
Bars, gyms and a wide range of other venues can begin reopening in California starting this week under new state guidance announced Friday.
Counties will decide how far to go under the state guidelines based on local conditions such as coronavirus infection rates and ability to track COVID-19 cases, state health and human services secretary Dr. Mark Ghaly said.
San Luis Obispo County public health officer Dr. Penny Borenstein said at a June 5 news briefing that she anticipates the county will be able to move forward in the reopening plan because of its relatively low case count and a continually low number of new cases per day.
This story was originally published June 9, 2020 at 11:02 AM with the headline "Coronavirus updates: SLO County wineries reopen, Caltrans opens rest areas."
