Gavin Newsom’s 4-stage plan for reopening California from the coronavirus emergency

California Gov. Gavin Newsom on Tuesday laid out a four-stage plan for when the state will reopen from the coronavirus emergency.

We are currently in the first stage, Newsom said, which involves continuing to build out testing and contact tracing, and ensuring that health care workers can get enough personal protective equipment and that hospitals can handle the potential for a surge in COVID-19 cases.

Stage two involves the gradual opening of lower-risk workplaces, such as retail, manufacturing and offices, as well as opening up more public spaces. However, those openings would have to come with adaptations, such as retail spaces offering curbside pickup.

Newsom said that stage two, which he said is just weeks away, would also see the reopening of schools, with the school year potentially starting in July or August to make up for lost learning time.

To get to stage two, hospitalization and intensive care unit trends must be stable, while hospitals must be able to ensure they can meet the potential for a surge in coronavirus patients. There must also be sufficient PPE and testing capacity, with contact tracing established statewide.

Stages three and four involve the gradual reopening of higher risk environments.

Stage three involves the reopening of places like hair and nail salons, theaters and churches, while stage four involves large-scale events such as concerts and live audience sporting events.

This story was originally published April 28, 2020 at 3:20 PM.