Coronavirus updates: Central Coast Pride canceled, SLO County salons and churches can reopen
San Luis Obispo County saw a busy Memorial Day weekend with thousands of visitors flocking to beaches as restaurants and retail shops begin to reopen.
Four county residents had tested positive for coronavirus as of Tuesday. That brings the total number of local patients who have tested positive for COVID-19 since mid-March to 263.
Santa Barbara County added 22 COVID-19 cases over the weekend, bringing that county’s total to 1,573. According to the state database, the county reported 15 new cases on Saturday and seven cases on Sunday.
Here are your local updates for Tuesday:
Salons, churches allowed to reopen in SLO County
As of Tuesday, places of worship, barbershops and hair salons are allowed to reopen in San Luis Obispo County, according to the county Public Health Department.
The announcement came after Gov. Gavin Newsom released new state guidelines for the sectors of business and allowed counties to determine whether they can move forward in the process.
Places of worship will be able to open with limited capacity, and barbershops and hair salons can only provide services that allow both employees and customers to wear masks at all times.
Additional guidelines include completing the county’s Self-Evaluation & Certification Form.
Central Coast Pride in-person events canceled due to coronavirus
Central Coast Pride, an annual event in July, has been canceled due to coronavirus and next year’s event has been moved to May.
The week-long event was expected to bring hundreds of people together.
Instead of the 2020 summer event, the Board of Directors of The Gala Pride and Diversity Center and the Central Coast Pride Committee will join “Virtual Global Pride” on Saturday, June 27.
The virtual event will include an online Pride Film Festival, celebration of Cal Poly’s Lavender Commencement, and a transgender Pride event.
Central Coast Pride of the following year will begin Sunday, May 23, 2021.
SLO County adds 4 COVID-19 cases
San Luis Obispo County added four coronavirus cases on Tuesday — 263 residents have now tested positive for COVID-19 since March, according to ReadySLO.org.
Three of the four new cases are in Paso Robles, and one is in San Luis Obispo.
Of the 263 local residents who’ve tested positive for COVID-19, 234 have completely recovered from the illness.
Twenty-five people are still recovering at home, and three patients are receiving hospital treatment; two are in intensive care units.
One local resident has died from COVID-19.
Families of inmates protest Lompoc prison outbreak
Families of inmates rallied in protest on the Lompoc Federal Correctional Complex on Sunday, demanding that prison officials take action amid concerns about inadequate sanitary conditions, healthcare access and more.
As of Sunday, the U.S. Bureau of Prisons reported 53 active cases at Lompoc’s U.S. Penitentiary, with 110 recovered.
For the Federal Correctional Institute, some 52 cases remain active with 854 inmates who once tested positive now considered recovered.
Memorial Day visitors flock to SLO beaches, despite hotel restrictions
As businesses begin to reopen, the county is asking that people avoid nonessential travel and visiting the area from out of the county.
However, the crowds were fairly large at local beaches during Memorial Day weekend.
In Pismo Beach alone, lifeguards estimated 4,600 visitors on Friday and around 7,600 Saturday, according to Cal Fire/Pismo Beach Battalion Chief Paul Lee, who supervises the lifeguards.
Templeton Wellness Kitchen will not reopen in wake of COVID-19
The Wellness Kitchen and Resource Center has permanently shut its doors after 10 years.
The kitchen’s closure is a result of the coronavirus pandemic, compounded with financial hardships related to a 2018 fire that damaged the kitchen’s building, according to a news release.
The kitchen provided nutrient-rich meals at little or no charge to those facing a health crisis. It also offered nutrition education classes.
SLO closes downtown streets to open space for outdoor dining
The city of San Luis Obispo rolled out a one-year pilot program that will close streets to vehicles, encourage people to walk, eat and shop downtown, and open public spaces to new uses in an effort to boost business opportunities following the coronavirus shutdown
The City Council unanimously approved the $200,000 pilot program on Friday. It will temporarily close parts of city streets and parking lots for up to a year to allow for outdoor dining and pedestrian uses in several commercial hubs on the weekends.
The move comes as several restaurants in the city reopened for dine-in service, though with limited indoor capacity.
Coronavirus brings changes to Cambria’s Pinedorado festival
The annual Pindorado festival in Cambria traditionally draws big crowds to the North Coast community over Labor Day weekend, but COVID-19 may change that.
Cambria’s Lions Club is tentatively planning to present an “abbreviated” Pinedorado celebration on Sept. 5, according to an email update sent by Pinedorado chairman Greg Aitkens to members and others on May 18.
The festival will be shortened to one day and include a parade for local Cambria groups and a local car show.
Cal Poly lights buildings blue to celebrate healthcare workers
Cal Poly illuminated some of its buildings and landmarks in blue light starting Friday as a way to recognize and thank healthcare workers on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Performing Arts Center and Recreation Center, which has been converted to use as the county’s alternate care site, both are getting the special treatment, along with the university’s Grand Avenue entrance.
The Poly “P” also has been painted blue in honor of healthcare workers and other essential employees.
The “Light it Blue” effort will last until May 31.
Dance studio owner honors coronavirus workers
Ryan Beck, who owns Studio @ Ryan’s American Dance in San Luis Obispo, wanted to do something to honor essential workers on the front lines of the coronavirus pandemic.
With the help of Beck’s father-in-law, Marty Henderson, who has one of the most elaborate displays in San Luis Obispo during the holiday season, he created a light up display to thank healthcare workers.
Beck wanted the display to be a “drive-by viewing” for kids and families to enjoy without getting out of their vehicles.
Bob Cantu basketball camps canceled for 2020
Bob Cantu basketball camps for summer 2020 are canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The organizers offered their thanks for past support and said the summer program will be back next year. The announcement said they will be in contact to discuss refund options.
This story was originally published May 26, 2020 at 11:35 AM.
