Yuba, Sutter among 12 Northern California counties now given approval to reopen more business
Last week, Yuba and Sutter counties went rogue, telling local businesses they can reopen in violation of Gov. Gavin Newsom’s ongoing statewide order clamping down on the economy to reduce coronavirus infection.
The governor responded by sending state regulators in to threaten businesses with license loss if they don’t close.
Now, the feud appears to be at least partially settled. On Wednesday, state health officials announced that Yuba and Sutter, two agricultural counties in the Sacramento Valley, are among four more California counties given the green light to reopen restaurants and stores, including shopping malls, for indoor dining and shopping.
Newsom took a moment to compliment leaders in the two counties for their new “spirit of cooperation.”
The state also gave the go-ahead to Sierra and Tuolumne counties.
They join Amador, Butte, El Dorado, Lassen, Nevada, Placer, Plumas, and Shasta counties as the first batch allowed by the state to start the next step in reopening their economies after a nearly two-month shutdown amid concerns of coronavirus spread.
Notably, all are in Northern California in largely rural areas where the virus spread has been thin.
Yuba and Sutter counties’ joint health official, Dr. Phuong Luu, issued a statement Wednesday thanking state officials for working with the region. She did not elaborate on what negotiations led to the agreement to reopen.
“I am appreciative of (state health official) Dr. (Sonia) Angell’s guidance and collaboration during these extraordinary times,” Luu said. “She was very supportive during our conversation, and was attentive and helpful in working through some of the rough spots that could have further slowed our progress.”
The two counties have sent the state “attestation” documents laying out how they were faring in their battle with coronavirus, and pointing out that virus levels were low in the two counties. State health officials have published those and other counties’ plans for public view on the state Department of Public Health website.
The county, though, remains one of the few in the state that has gone beyond the state rules by allowing nail and hair salons and gyms to reopen, if they choose. County officials have advised those businesses to consult with attorneys prior to opening because state officials say those businesses are considered higher-risk, and are not allowed to reopen at this point.
According to various reports, several of those businesses did reopen last week, but closed after being contacted by the state.
Newsom at noon on Wednesday complimented the two counties as well as Butte County on their “spirit of collaboration and cooperation.” He said the state and local officials had engaged this week in talks that led to clarifications in safety steps that “do justice to the moment.”
This story was originally published May 13, 2020 at 12:43 PM.