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CA Now Allows In-Store Retail Statewide (If Your County OKs it)

Except for salons and barbershops, state now leaves it up to each county when to open in-store shopping
By - posted 5/26/2020 No Comment

On Monday, The California Department of Public Health announced the statewide reopening of places of worship for religious services and in-store retail shopping.

Modifications are required to keep Californians safe and limit the spread of COVID-19. Subject to approval by county public health departments, all retail stores can reopen for in-store shopping under previously issued guidelines.

Retail In-Store Shopping

Read the existing (PDF) guidance for retailers, previously allowed for counties approved to advance in the reopening process, now applies statewide. Retail can now open for in-store shopping statewide.

When will my county allow in-store retail?
Each county can now set their own timeline for in-store shopping without needing pre-approval from the state – subject to approval from county health departments.

The guidelines help reduce the risk for workers and customers. Retail does not include personal services such as hair salons, nail salons, and barbershops.

In 21 days, the Department of Public Health, in consultation with local departments of public health, will review and assess the impact of the religious service’s guidelines and provide further direction as part of a phased-in restoration of activities. This 21-day interval accounts for seven days for religious communities to prepare and reopen in addition to a 14-day incubation period of COVID-19.

Churches / Places of Worship

Under the new guidance, places of worship can hold religious services and funerals that limit attendance to 25% of a building’s capacity – or up to 100 attendees, whichever is lower – upon approval by the county department of public health.

Read the new (PDF) guidance for religious services and cultural ceremonies. To reopen for religious services and funerals, places of worship must: 

  • Establish and implement a COVID-19 prevention plan for every location, train staff on the plan, and regularly evaluate workplaces for compliance.
  • Train employees and volunteers on COVID-19, including how to prevent it from spreading and which underlying health conditions may make individuals more susceptible to contracting the virus.
  • Implement cleaning and disinfecting protocols.
  • Set physical distancing guidelines.
  • Recommend that staff and guests wear cloth face coverings, and screen staff for temperature and symptoms at the beginning of their shifts.
  • Set parameters around or consider eliminating singing and group recitations. These activities dramatically increase the risk of COVID-19 transmission. For this reason, congregants engaging in singing, particularly in the choir, and group recitation should wear face coverings at all times and when possible, these activities should be conducted outside with greater than 6-foot distancing.

Read the full press release.