Businesses reopen: so how are they doing?

On Friday, June 12 several businesses were able to open their doors back up in accordance with the state's accelerated stage 2 guidelines. Gyms, hotels, and barber shops were among those to get the go-ahead.

The Coachella Valley relies heavily on tourism. Due to COVID-19, the local economy took a hit after several businesses were forced to close. Over the weekend, several places saw an uptick in visitors since the loosening on restrictions.

"We actually had a really busy weekend this past weekend," Find Your Feet Sock and Sandal Shop supervisor, Kimberly Cook said.

The shop in downtown Palm Springs sells a large variety of printed socks and sandals. Cook said she was pleased to see many people shopping local.

Aside from retail, hotels also saw an influx of guests considering just hours prior, many were closed.

"This is the first weekend we had leisure travelers and we’re very blessed and the demand was so huge that we filled up both Friday and Saturday night," Hilton Palm Springs General Manager, Aftab Dada said.

On Monday, several families were seen cooling off at the hotel pool. The outside bar was also open.

Dada said the hotel remained partially open throughout the past few months, to house airline workers, who were deemed essential.

He said over the weekend, several visitors from all over Southern California were enjoying a desert getaway at the hotel.

"We are definitely booked up all through June and partially July. July 4th weekend is looking extremely strong so we are looking forward to that," Dada said.

The Hilton has began allowing full capacity. Its spa remains closed, and the hotel is working to bring back all its employees. Dada said there are new deep-cleaning precautions being taken in between guest stays.

"Definitely our team members have face covering as well as gloves, we have Lysol disinfectant, we are hitting on every single additional time on our rooms- we’re hitting on the remote controls, and the windows, and the doorknobs," Dada said.

Despite more businesses welcoming guests back, there are still some rules to follow.

"Masks are required, face-coverings are required," Palm Springs City Manager, David Ready said.

The city has made it mandatory for businesses and their customers.

"We can’t be everywhere to make sure everyone is using a face-covering and so we’re relying on everyone’s goodwill and common sense because we’re all in this together," Ready said.

Ready said the decision is to ensure that visitors and residents are safe.

"A business can refuse service to someone who isn’t wearing a face covering but at the same time they’re not required to formally police either," Ready said.

The city has created a compliance hotline: (760) 323-8159. The hotline is available 7 days a week from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. People can report a complaint if someone is not wearing a mask where they are supposed to. Ready said the Palm Springs Police Department or code enforcement will come out and make sure people are in compliance.