On the same day California topped 125,000 coronavirus cases, state officials released guidance allowing individual counties to reopen a wide range of businesses.
After the seven-day new case average in the state reached a new peak Thursday at 2,681.14, officials paved the way for schools, gyms, bars and many other businesses to resume operations beginning next Friday.
The guidance also includes details on reopening campgrounds, RV Parks and casinos operated by sovereign tribal nations.
According to data compiled by the Bay Area News Group, more than 3,000 new coronavirus cases were added to the state’s totals Friday.
Many local counties including Alameda County and Contra Costa County announced guidance to move deeper into Phase 2 of reopening Friday, but state officials went a step further and offered detailed plans for counties that wish to move into Phase 3 of a four-phase plan for loosening California’s stay-at-home order restrictions.
Most Bay Area counties have expressed a desire to move more slowly through Phase 2 than other counties around the state, including in Santa Clara County where outdoor dining reopened Friday and in San Francisco where outdoor dining won’t reopen until June 15.
The updated health order released by Alameda County permits people to form “social bubbles” of up to 12 individuals in outdoor spaces beginning Monday, June 8. Social bubbles are required to be maintained for a minimum of three weeks and members of a social bubble are only allowed to participate in one bubble at a time.
During a Friday press briefing, Gov. Gavin Newsom said the state will continue to provide guidance for “how” to reopen certain sectors of local economies, but it’s up to individual counties to file attestation forms that will determine “when” businesses can resume operations.
Businesses allowed to resume operating in Phase 2 of the reopening process were designated as “lower-risk” workplaces such as retail, manufacturing and limited personal services such as hair salons. Businesses in Phase 3 are considered “higher-risk” spaces such as casinos and museums.
Phase 4 marks the end of California’s stay-at-home order and will permit concert venues and sports stadiums to reopen with fans in attendance. Newsom has repeatedly said the state is not close to issuing guidance on Phase 4.
