Some retailers in Placentia and across California can open for pickup service as early as Friday, May 8 under state guidelines. This is part of a gradual reopening plan announced by Governor Gavin Newsom on May 4 that allows the state to move slowly into Phase Two of the state’s Four-Phase reopening strategy. This will be a half step out of phase one, which has been focused on containing coronavirus with only grocery, drug and other essential retailers operating. Examples of retailers that can now open for curbside pickup and delivery service include clothing, book, toy, music, sporting goods stores, florists and others, according to the governor. Manufacturers, warehouses and other logistical support for retailers reopening also are now allowed to operate. Businesses that are reopening will need to follow health guidelines laid out by the state. The guidelines indicate businesses should:
- Perform a risk assessment of their site and planned operations.
- Have a plan in place for cleaning and disinfecting, as well as providing protective gear for employees.
- Implement physical distancing among workers, including in break areas.
- Have a specific plan for screening employees and dealing with potential cases among staff.
Train employees to self-screen for Covid-19 symptoms, to stay home if they are sick and to know how to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
You can read more about the state’s road map to recovery here. This website will allow you to locate specific guidelines tailored to each individual industry, as well as checklists that businesses can post to show customers that they are following best practices. These guidelines are in line with best practices for physical distancing and sanitation and will help us begin the recovery process safely and responsibly. They are also in line with business guidelines already issued by the county with an eye toward reopening when cleared by the state. Other businesses and operations expected to open in phase two will come later, according to the governor. They include:
- Offices
- Dining at restaurants
- Shopping centers, malls
- Outdoor museums
- Schools and childcare facilities
- Personal services such as car washes, pet grooming
The governor also acknowledged that some counties may wish to go further within the phase two reopening. But those counties will have to prove they can meet state health requirements including preparations at skilled nursing facilities, sustained decline in cases and no deaths, hospital bed capacity, testing and contact tracing capabilities and support for those living in homelessness.
These counties would also need to outline data tracking and monitoring strategies to determine if they need to scale back on reopening, should, for example, they see cases or deaths begin to increase again. As of now, Orange County has indicated that they do not meet all of these requirements; however information is continuing to be updated daily and the County is working hard to seek to meet these requirements. You can read the requirements for what the state is calling a "county variance" here.
All Placentia retailers can begin preparing for reopening by noting the state guidelines. This means being prepared and developing plans to bring employees back in limited numbers, to serve people online or by phone and to make purchases available for pickup. Retailers will also need to ensure physical distancing of six feet or more among returning employees and consider plastic barriers for separation where needed. Face covering requirements, plastic barriers, signs and other preventive measures now used by grocery and drug stores are good examples. You’ll need face coverings, gloves and other protective gear and stepped up cleaning and disinfecting of commonly touched surfaces and frequently visited areas. Offices and others expected to come later in phase two should also be preparing for reopening, as should others listed in phases two and three. Salons, barbers, gyms, movie theaters and places of worship could come next in phase three.
Placentia is working with the Orange County Health Care Agency to move through phases as quickly and safely as possible. We will send additional updates on reopening as information becomes available.
Thank you for your patience as we work together as a community to support and uplift each other during this pandemic. We have witnessed amazing examples of compassion, resiliency and support in our community for our first responders, healthcare workers, essential service workers and those in our community whom are most vulnerable to COVID. While the above guidance may be a new normal, we can all work together to support our businesses and get people back to work in a safe and healthy way. Stay safe, stay well and continue to make each other and Placentia strong.