Roseville urges greater control over reopening to avoid ‘irretrievable’ economic loss

Roseville is urging Placer County officials to demand more autonomy over lifting stay-at-home orders, as the coronavirus pandemic threatens to irreparably damage the local economy.

It is the largest city in Northern California to date to call for greater control in allowing businesses to reopen, though larger cities in Southern California have begun reopening parks and beaches and pushing for eased restrictions.

Roseville Mayor John B. Allard II sent a letter on behalf of the City Council to the county Board of Supervisors and county health official Thursday, saying the city is encouraged by health data showing the county has “flattened the curve.”

“The immediate public-health response focuses on damage from the virus itself,” Allard wrote in a letter published on the city’s website Friday. “But we must now include a focus on the long-term damage that response has created.”

“It cannot be overemphasized that many elements of our economy are nearing a point of irretrievable loss,” he wrote.

Roseville City Council’s letter calls on county officials to appeal to Newsom to “allow a degree of responsible autonomy at the county level” to determine timelines for lifting the order, and asks them to involve local leaders in plans for reopening the economy.

“This will ensure one area’s economy isn’t sacrificed because of what’s happening in another part of the state,” Allard wrote.

Across California, cities and counties have begun to pressure Gov. Gavin Newsom to start allowing exceptions and adjustments to the state’s stay-at-home order — neighborhood parks and beaches have started to reopen, protesters have rallied at the Capitol, tourist attractions are already taking summer reservations.

Newsom expressed hope during his Friday press conference that California may be close to loosening the state stay-at-home order.

“I hope next week, I don’t want to get ahead of myself, but I hope next week we can start taking some of these other indicators, start pointing in the direction of green and we can make those announcements,” Newsom said.

Mayors of seven Stanislaus County cities sent a letter to Newsom this week urging the governor “pursue an aggressive strategy for reopening our county for business.” Similar asks have been made by officials from San Luis Obispo to Placerville.

Eight people have died from the virus in Placer County, and 139 have tested positive as of Friday afternoon. Of those cases, 117 come from south Placer, which includes Roseville.

This story was originally published April 24, 2020 at 2:45 PM.