Gov. Newsom to make announcement about reopening state, city leaders concerned about timeline

Tuesday during his daily noon press briefing, Governor Gavin Newsom will announce benchmarks for California to begin to reopen its economy.

Watch live here:

"The state of California is putting together a bottom up plan a framework for targeted interventions and easing of restrictions," Newsom said Monday.

Some valley city leaders expressed concern about the timeline, and whether or not we're ready. They say they're hoping to hear facts-based decision making from the governor, and a strategic, one-step-at-a-time approach to carefully bringing life back to normal.

"We're looking forward to hearing how we can do this in a safe way," said Palm Springs Mayor Geoff Kors. "The last thing we want to do after all this work is set things back and put people at risk and extend this even longer."

Kors said he expects the governor will announce thresholds in categories like number of positive cases and expanded testing before opening up restrictions.

"Ithink the reasons it's happening is President Trump has said he's going to make the decision," Kors said. "But of course (Trump) hasn't closed anything. He let each state make that decision and each state will make the decision when to reopen."

Mayor of La Quinta Linda Evans said she is cautiously optimistic about the projected surge that hasn't hit our area yet.

"I don't know if that's the calm before the storm, or if that flattening is just elongating what it's going to take to get there," Evans said. She said she's trying to balance the risk with her residents who want to go back to work, or for instance, play golf without restrictions.

"I think it's a little bit too soon, because we're still reeling with things from a hospital standpoint," Evans said. "We're expecting a hit and I'm hoping it never happens."

Some small businesses see both sides of the coin – the sooner they can reopen, the better. But they also have to weigh people's health.

The owner at Fuzion Five Palm Springs, Ghee Khamvongsouk, said his business is down 90 percent. Even still, he said it's too soon to try to return full speed ahead.

"Summer's always going to be a little bit slower for most of the business here anyway," he said. "If we hold off on it and make sure things are better 100 percent then I think its the right move."

You can watch Newsom's announcement on News Channel 3 live at noon.

You can reach Jake on Twitter, Facebook or email him at jake.ingrassia@kesq.com.