Gov. Gavin Newsom eases reopening requirements for some counties
Gov. Gavin Newsom said at a news conference Monday that all but five of California’s 58 counties would qualify for a variance from the statewide stay-at-home order through the new rules, though not all may choose to seek one.
Under the new framework counties must show that their hospitalization rates remain stable and the number of coronavirus patients has not increased by more than 5% over the past seven days. Smaller counties must not have had more than 20 patients on any given day for at least two weeks.
Counties that want to apply to the state to receive a variance from the statewide stay-at-home order must also meet one of two other requirements: either they have had fewer than 25 cases per 100,000 residents for at least 14 days, or the rate of positive coronavirus tests has dropped below 8%.
Retail may open for curbside pickup statewide, but counties can choose to reopen slower. Newsom said the state is still a few weeks away from adjusting guidelines for salons and churches.