Businesses Can Reopen, Small Groups OK In New CoCo Health Order

CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CA — Contra Costa County substantially lifted portions of its shelter-in-place order on Tuesday, allowing in-store shopping to resume, business offices to reopen and small groups of people to gather outdoors, among other changes. The new order takes effect Wednesday.

The county's order, in place since March 16, has managed to slow the spread of the coronavirus, according to county officials. The county has confirmed 1,506 COVID-19 cases thus far, including 37 people who have died.

Amid ongoing protests over police violence following the killing of George Floyd, the county noted that protests of up to 100 people are permitted in the new order.

In addition to indoor retail, outdoor museums and pet groomers are among the venues and businesses allowed to reopen in the county's new order.

Child care services and camps will now be permitted for all children, not just those of essential workers, allowing for groups of 12 or fewer children.

Libraries can reopen for curbside pickup, religious services can resume with some limits on June 15, and the county will consult with the state about reopening swimming pools and outdoor dining, officials said.

Officials here have acknowledged that the county has reopened at a slower pace than the state, which last week allowed higher-risk businesses like hair salons and barbershops to reopen — unless counties wanted to keep stricter rules in place.

Contra Costa's slower pace has been based on data, Dr. Chris Farnitano has said, noting that the county is more densely populated than most parts of the state that have reopened.

"I know there’s a lot of frustration out there, but it’s important to keep in mind that interventions like social distancing have saved lives," Farnitano said in a statement Tuesday.

In a news release, the county said it is lifting restrictions because it has made headway in meeting its five reopening indicators: stabilizing cases and hospitalizations, sufficient hospital capacity, sufficient daily testing for COVID-19, sufficient contact tracing and quarantine capacity, and a 30-day supply of personal protective equipment for health care workers.

Full coronavirus coverage: Coronavirus In California: What To Know