Bars, gyms, schools, day camps and some sports to reopen in CA next week
California will allow the reopening of schools, day camps, bars, gyms and some sports with modifications starting next week.
Friday evening, the state released guidance for counties to follow regarding the reopening of a broad range of businesses.
Bars and Wineries
Bars and wineries should follow rules close to those of dine-in restaurants, including keeping customers six feet apart and prioritizing outdoor seating.
Hotels
In hotel room, there should no longer be magazines, menus or coupons. Ice machines in hallways should not be used. Pillow protectors should be changed once a day, and linens should be removed in sealed plastic bags that are discarded after use. Limits should be placed on elevator capacity.
Schools
Arrival times should be staggered to minimizer contact between students and families. Lunchtime should take place in classrooms or outdoors, instead of in cafeterias. Toys, books and supplies should not be shared.
Rules for schools and day camps will apply statewide. State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond will release more guidelines in a news conference on Monday at 11:15 a.m.
Gyms
Gyms should consider limiting the number of people in the facility, and should put hand sanitizer or wipes near machines, changing rooms and other common areas. Machines should be spaced six feet apart. High contact activities like pickup basketball should be suspended, and exercise classes should limit capacity. Pools can reopen but saunas and steam rooms should remain closed.
For the other industries mentioned, counties that have met certain thresholds on the number of cases, testing and preparedness will be allowed to start reopening the other sectors. Riverside County is one of the counties that have been approved for reopening.
The state’s guidance also includes rules on casinos, museums, zoos and aquariums.
Nail salons, tattoo parlors, movie theaters remain among the not permitted to reopen list.
The recommended guidelines for all these industries to reopen is after Friday, June 12.
Supervisor Manuel Perez said that today's announcement took the county Board of Supervisors by surprise, though they are prepared to follow the state's action.
"I do anticipate that coming next week, and if that's a guidance that comes down from the governor's office, the county of Riverside will be prepared in ensuring that we are reopening through all our sectors and as well throughout the county of Riverside," Perez said Friday afternoon at a news conference.
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Riverside County currently has 8,303 positive cases, 345 deaths, and 4,897 recoveries.
On Thursday, Eisenhower Health reported an increase in positive coronavirus test results. The hospital staff noted that not all of these cases have been from care facilities as they saw in previous weeks, instead it has been members of the community.
"The timing lines up with both the easing of restrictions in the area and the recent holiday weekend," wrote Lee Rice, public information officer for Eisenhower Health.
Full story: Eisenhower Health reports recent increase in positive coronavirus test results
