Contra Costa has made significant progress in meeting the five indicators for reopening.
New cases and hospitalizations are not increasing, all local hospitals have certified they now have a 30-day supply of personal protective equipment, and sufficient capacity to handle more patients. We still need to triple the amount of tests per day and increase our ability to do contact tracing.
re-opening a number of businesses and activities, with prevention measures. Here is a summary.
The following businesses are now allowed subject to social distancing requirements and other state guidelines:
- Indoor retail, shopping centers/malls, and swap meets subject to limitations on the number of customers inside the store or enclosed space.
- Office workplaces but only to the extent that workers cannot perform their job duties from home.
- Outdoor museums and other outdoor exhibit spaces including open air galleries and botanical gardens; however, zoos, amusement parks, indoor cafes and gift shops remain closed.
- Drive-In theaters.
- Services that don't require close customer contact including car washes, pet groomers, dog walkers, housecleaning, janitorial services, heating, plumbing, appliance and electrical work.
- Libraries may operate for curbside pickup.
Other new allowable activities with limitations:
- Protests - participants must wear face coverings and social distance, and attendance must not exceed 25% of the area's maximum capacity or 100 persons, whichever is lower.
- Small outdoor social gatherings in stable groups of 12 or fewer engaging in family recreation, childcare, etc.
- Childcare, summer camps, and other educational/recreational programs providing care for all children in stable groups of 12 or less.
Religious services and cultural ceremonies, starting on June 15:
- Indoor services/ceremonies must not exceed 12 persons or 25% of the building's capacity, whichever is less.
- Outdoor services/ceremonies must not exceed 100 persons, or 25% of the area's capacity, whichever is less.
Look for swimming pools and outdoor dining to be opened soon, after further consultation with the state.
Reopening is welcome news, but we still need to follow safety measures to prevent new surges in COVID-19. We are learning from watching other areas open nationally and globally, and understanding the need for vigilance.
This includes:
- Frequent daily hand washing and use of hand sanitizer.
- Physical distancing of at least 6 feet.
- Wearing a face covering whenever outdoors or around others.
- Staying home if you have symptoms, and getting tested.
The Health Officer will be reviewing the 5 indicators in 2 weeks, and if we continue to make progress, further re-openings will occur.
Thank you for taking the challenging steps to allow reopening. I know it's not easy. We're on the right track, and we can do this together!
