Update: California approves Stanislaus County reopening after coronavirus shutdown
Stanislaus County was approved Wednesday to progress further into the state’s Stage 2 reopening after a two-month shutdown of businesses due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The California Department of Public Health approved the county’s application for a variance, which allows shopping centers, retail stores, dine-in restaurants, shopping malls and swap meets to resume business under social distancing procedures and safety precautions.
The variance also permits schools to reopen “with modifications.”
The state’s decision ends uncertainty for businesses that laid off workers and struggled to survive during Gov. Gavin Newsom’s shelter in place order issued in March, which is credited with slowing the spread of COVID-19 illness in California while other states were slammed by the pandemic.
Kristin Olsen, chair of the county Board of Supervisors, said in a 12:15 p.m. Facebook post the state had approved the variance. “Great news! Our attestation for a variance has been approved by the state. Dine-in restaurants and retail businesses including shopping centers can open for business today,” Olsen wrote.
The state approved the county’s second application for a variance after the first one was rejected because of the county’s inability to meet the stringent criteria. The state relaxed the requirements Monday, prompting a second county application that was authorized by supervisors Tuesday evening.
State approval came about 16 hours later.
Dr. Julie Vaishampayan, county health officer, attests that the local coronavirus outbreak has stabilized based on a low rate of positive tests (3.4 percent) and stable hospitalization data.
The county has recorded 593 cases and 26 deaths, which is double the number of deaths since May 1 largely because of a Turlock nursing home outbreak. About 25 percent of cases are attributed to transmission in the community.
Health experts predict an increase in infections as California continues to reopen for business, but counties and business owners are expected to implement measures to protect employees and customers and limit a resurgence of COVID-19 illness.
Half of the state’s 58 counties, most of them smaller jurisdictions, are now moving ahead in Stage 2.
Lorraine Thompson, who was at McHenry Village Shopping Center, said Wednesday she feels comfortable going to reopened restaurants as long as they follow social distancing guidelines. “These businesses need to reopen or we will fall into another depression,” Thompson said.
Thompson said if restaurants don’t have safety procedures to protect customers, she has no problem walking out.
Thompson and another resident at McHenry Village said they’re looking forward to restaurant dining and store shopping after the two-month shutdown so they can see people they know.
The county has a “Good 2 Go Stanislaus” guide with safe reopening procedures for businesses, and the state has guidance for shopping centers and malls to prevent large numbers of customers from shopping at one time.
The variance does not permit fitness centers, hair and nail salons, tattoo parlors and other personal service businesses that involve close contact with customers. Other facilities like community centers, museums, entertainment venues, movie theaters and libraries are in later phases of the state plan for reopening.
The state approval does include schools in Stanislaus County, but school superintendents and county public health are expected to engage in discussions about scenarios for reopening classrooms in the 2020-21 school year.
Supervisor Terry Withrow said he thinks the state should loosen orders and allow more business sectors to open.
“What I hope I see happening is businesses are immediately going to open (with this variance) and they will do it using the social distancing practices we are encouraging,” Supervisor Terry Withrow said. “I know there were some that were just waiting for this to happen.”
Earlier this month, when it looked like Stanislaus might be among the last counties to reopen for business because of a state requirement of zero deaths over a two week period, supervisors approved a motion promising no enforcement if merchants resumed business in defiance of the state.
Withrow said he was aware of some businesses that prepared to reopen, but they decided to wait for state approval. “Now, they don’t have to worry about the state coming after them,” Withrow said.
A representative for Vintage Faire Mall wasn’t available to predict when the regional center and its anchor stores may open doors for customers. A note on Vintage Faire’s website said retail curbside service is offered by some retailers at the center.
In late April, Macy’s, which has a store at Vintage Faire, announced steps for reopening its department stores in states that restart their economies. According to the company’s website, its COVID-19 precautions will include wellness checks for employees, suspension of services that involve close contact with shoppers, company-issued masks for staff, increased cleaning in “high touch” areas and better air ventilation in stores.
Macy’s furloughed about 125,000 employees after its 775 stores were closed in March as coronavirus outbreaks spread rapidly in the United States.
The state’s early Stage 2 plan permitted businesses with limited public contact including curbside pickup of retail purchases, childcare for workers in essential industries, offices, pet grooming and car washes.
But the expanded Stage 2 approval for destination retail should reactivate larger businesses that produce important sales tax revenue for cities and the county.
This story was originally published May 20, 2020 at 1:07 PM.
