Palm Springs holds virtual town hall meeting discussing local business survival and recovery

Some restrictions to businesses across the state are being lifted Friday.

That’s when California enters “phase 2” of Governor Newsom's four-step plan to lift the stay-at-home order.

News Channel 3’s Caitlin Thropay explains what that means to businesses and shoppers here in Coachella Valley.

At Lilies flower shop in Palm Springs, florist Tammy Vradenburg is busy preparing for Mother’s Day orders but only by contactless delivery.

Some restrictions on businesses like florists, sporting good stores, clothing shops and bookstores are expected to be lifted this Friday across the state of California.

The Governor’s office plans to release more guidelines for the Friday openings on Thursday.

"This Friday we are not doing curbside just because they've lifted that ban yesterday and Mother's Day is on Sunday and we just haven't had the time to implement curbside for our shop," Vradenburg said.

Palm Springs city leaders held a virtual town hall meeting for local business owners in order to help them plan for reopening when allowed.

"You have to educate your customers and your employees at the same time about what's happening and what's going on," Mark Daniels, regional director for the Small Business Development Center said.

Business owners are advised to create a recovery plan, including creating social distancing inside the business like signs on the floor to keep customers six feet apart.

If you are a small business owner and you need some free financial help or guidance as you begin to prepare for reopening reach out to rivcobizhelp.org or call (951) 955-0493.

“The mayor would like for us to gather information on what these businesses actually need and then we're going to have one person actually put the list together so this can be bought in bulk and we get a good idea of what everyone needs," CEO of Palm Springs Chamber of Commerce, Nona Watson said.

What won’t be reopening Friday are hair and nail salons, gyms, movie theaters, sporting events without live audiences, churches and weddings. These are all considered higher risk. So are sit-down restaurants, but when they do reopen here’s what you could see: tables set further a part and fewer of them, no silverware on the tables, plexiglass, ordering and payment through apps.

But Vradenburg is still looking forward to the day she can completely reopen.

"We're excited to be opening up again and get the ball rolling again. The entire staff is ready to come back to work and we're just ready to serve the community again and plan for beautiful weddings and events like we usually do," she said.

If you’re still looking for a Mother’s Day gift, you can order flowers online or by phone for no-contact delivery through Lilies Palm Springs. Call: (760) 318-3388 or visit their website here: https://www.liliesps.com/