LA County's Variance Has Been Approved. What That Means...

Press release from the La Verne Chamber of Commerce:

May 29, 2020

The County of Los Angeles is regularly updating resources on COVID-19 and offers today's update in an effort to keep you and yours informed. Please share the following up-to-date information:
The State of California today approved LA County’s request for a variance to state guidelines. Wondering what that means for the county and you? This approval means LA County can, now, safely allow critical sectors of the economy & community to begin serving residents. It has proven:

• it has controlled the spread of the virus,
• it’s protecting residents and essential workers,
• it has the capacity to test more than 75 percent of its residents, and
• has sufficient hospital capacity and contact tracers on the ground.

How it impacts you:
Since LA County is now in the advanced stages of Phase 2 of the State’s Resilience Roadmap, you will now begin to see the re-opening of more small and locally-owned businesses across the County. It means those sectors are now able to return to work and you may be able to further support your favorite local shop or restaurant in-person.
These businesses have now been allowed to re-open in LA County, with the appropriate safeguards in place:
Hair Salons & Barbershops

• Physical distancing measures will be in place.
• Employees and customers will be screened for symptoms, including cough and fever. Clients feeling unwell should reschedule their appointment.
• Everyone, including clients, must wear cloth face coverings while in the salon or barber shop and clients are encouraged to wear face coverings with earloops to ensure the face covering does not interfere with the hair service.
• Magazines, coffee and other amenities will not be available.
• Clients are encouraged to use credit cards and contactless payment systems. If electronic or card payment is not possible, customers should come with exact cash payment or check, if available.
• Stylists may only serve one client at a time.

• For the detailed protocols visit: http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/media/coronavirus/.
  

Personal grooming that is still closed, or prohibited, at this time:

In-Person Dining

• Physical distancing measures will be in place.
• Employees and customers will be screened for symptoms, including cough and fever. Patrons feeling unwell should not eat at a restaurant.
• Outdoor seating and curbside pickup are prioritized.
• Reservations will be encouraged.
• Customers will be asked to wait for their table in their cars or outside the restaurant to prevent crowds from gathering.
• Diners must wear cloth face coverings when not eating.
• Bar areas will be closed.
• Occupancy capacity will be limited to 60% for the next three weeks.

• For the detailed protocol visit: http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/media/coronavirus/.

Still closed are:

• Gyms and fitness centers
• Beach piers
• Indoor entertainment venues including arcades, bowling alleys, movie theaters, live performance theaters, concert halls, stadiums, arenas, theme parks, gaming facilities and festivals
• Indoor museums, galleries and zoos
• Click here for a detailed list of what’s open and closed in L.A. County

The new openings are part of a phased progression guiding the safe resumption of public life in Los Angeles County, including the resumption and reopenings that include: in-person faith-based services, in-store shopping at retail stores, bike paths, drive-in movies and other recreational pursuits. The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health will amend its Health Officer Order accordingly.

Supervisor Kathryn Barger, Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors

• Sandra Maravilla Field Deputy
• May 29, 2020
• (909) 394-2264
• Send Email

This press release was produced by the La Verne Chamber of Commerce. The views expressed are the author's own.