Some businesses can reopen in Yuba and Sutter counties with new coronavirus orders
The chief health officer for Yuba and Sutter counties on Friday issued two new coronavirus orders that go into effect Monday. One allows certain businesses, such as restaurants and malls, to reopen. The other health order requires residents to wear masks or facial coverings in public when social distancing is not possible.
Yuba-Sutter Health Officer Dr. Phuong Luu’s new health directive allows the reopening of businesses deemed to be “low to medium risk for contact intensity and low to medium risk for number of contacts,” according to a news release. Officials said contact intensity is determined by how long close contact is occurring.
Under Luu’s new health order, restaurants, retail businesses, shopping malls, construction, real estate, agriculture, gyms and fitness studios, hair salons, barbershops, nail salons, spas, massage therapy centers and tattoo parlors can reopen.
County officials say residents and businesses of Yuba and Sutter counties are also subject to the state’s stay-at-home coronavirus order, and that the counties cannot provide these businesses legal advice, according to the news release. The counties recommended that businesses deemed non-essential in the statewide order seek their own legal advice in considering their options.
“The intent of the order is to comply with both the Governor’s order and President Trump’s ‘Opening up America Again’ guidelines,” Luu said in the news release. “The purpose is to continue to mitigate the spread of the virus to the greatest extent possible while addressing the need to gradually reopen the economy in order to ensure vital services are resumed in a safe manner.”
But these businesses must operate with “appropriate modifications” that include social distancing requirements and other strategies to slow the spread of the coronavirus, which causes the infectious respiratory disease COVID-19. These businesses will also be required to post anti-COVID-19 protocols at their front entrances for customers to see.
As of Thursday afternoon, there were 48 confirmed COVID-19 cases reported for Yuba and Sutter counties and three deaths, according to their data. And eight people were hospitalized.
The use of parks, athletic fields, playgrounds and libraries also will be available to the public as long as social distancing of six feet is maintained, according to the news release. The new health order says schools, religious places of worship, bars and nightclubs that do not serve food and theaters cannot reopen yet.
All social gatherings of 10 or more people are prohibited, including birthday parties, block parties, funerals and weddings. Gatherings of fewer than 10 people that included people from different homes must maintain safe social distancing requirements, according to the news release.
The new health order requires those 65 years old and older, or anyone with a chronic medical condition that places them at greater risk, to remain at home. They can go out for necessary activities, such as seeking medical care or get food for themselves or family members, according to the news release.
Those vulnerable to the coronavirus also can go outside for work or recreational activities, but they must at all times maintain safe social distancing, wash their hands or use of hand sanitizer frequently. They must stay home if they’re feeling sick and wear masks or facial coverings when social distancing is not possible.
“As the Yuba-Sutter community embarks on a phased-in gradual reopening of our community, it is critical that all community members take upon themselves the responsibility to adhere to important public health recommendations to reduce the transmission of COVID-19,” Luu said in the news release.
