Temecula Works Toward Reopening As Possible 'Subregion'

TEMECULA, CA — While the city of Temecula hopes Gov. Gavin Newsom will grant Riverside County a green light to reopen its economy on a fast track under his “regional variance” program, local officials aren’t standing idle despite state and county restrictions.

Instead of defying orders, the city is looking for opportunities to back the county's efforts and possibly reopen Temecula as a "subregion." On Tuesday, Temecula City Council members unanimously approved a 39-page “Community Recovery and Reopening Plan” that provides local businesses and organizations with guidance on reopening amid coronavirus. The outlined plan aligns with state and county orders, and is a living document that can be updated based on changes and community feedback.

While the plan may seem benign, its intent is not. Councilmember Matt Rahn said the document shows the city is doing its due diligence.

In a May 13 letter to the county introducing the plan, the five council members advocate that Temecula, nearby Wine Country, and the city of Murrieta already meet Gov. Gavin Newsom’s criteria to reopen under his regional variance program.

The governor's program is a fast-track to reopening for counties, not cities, if they meet stringent criteria, including hospital capacity that can accommodate at least a 35% surge in COVID-19 cases; proper PPE and protections for hospital workers; no more than 1 COVID-19 case per 10,000 residents in the last 14 days; no COVID-19 deaths in the last 14 days; minimum daily testing of 1.5 people per 1,000 residents; at least 15 contact tracers per 100,000 residents; ability to temporarily house at least 15% of the county's homeless; proper protection for employees returning to work (protective gear, sick time); at least a 14-day supply of PPE at skilled nursing facilities; and the ability to tighten county restrictions if needed.

It’s not clear if Newsom will make allowances for cities under his regional variance program, but he has signaled there is some flexibility.

As of Wednesday afternoon, Temecula has 119 coronavirus cases and zero deaths. The data provided to the public by the county is somewhat opaque though. For example, it doesn’t give breakdowns-by-city on the age groups of those infected, what type of facility they live in, and whether they are hospitalized or self-quarantined at home. Moreover, information about contact tracing is not provided.

The city of Murrieta has five coronavirus-related fatalities and 108 cases as of Wednesday afternoon. The county data doesn’t provide any information on the ages or underlying health conditions of those who died.

Temecula argues in its May 13 advocacy letter that the city “is in the recovery phase of the disease curve."

“We have experienced a decline in the number of COVID-19 patients that require hospitalization over the past month, we have more than sufficient hospital and critical care beds, and adequate supplies of PPE,” the letter reads.

The city is prepared to resume stricter public health measures if there’s an uptick in the number of confirmed cases or a lack of capacity within the hospital and health care system, according to the letter.

“We also acknowledge that public health measures may change rapidly on the recommendations and orders of public health officials and the State, and it is incumbent upon the City and community to remain flexible in adjusting any reopening efforts accordingly,” the letter reads.

Given the governor's stringent regional variance criteria, "the only opportunity for meaningful forward progress in our community at this point is for the State to either change its criteria for acceleration or allow our County to approve accelerated plans by subregions within the County," the letter continues.

The city of Temecula is pushing forward, as outlined in the letter. "Working with surrounding counties in similar situations through coalitions, our professional associations for cities and counties, and other community and industry stakeholders, can lead to this change."

According to the letter, Temecula deems all of its businesses and houses of worship as essential.

Residents and business owners can submit comments on the reopening plan to the city clerk at randi.johl@temeculaca.gov. The city council is scheduled to review the comments during its May 26 meeting.

Read the full letter here. The Community Recovery and Reopening Plan, which was drafted in collaboration with officials from the city, Temecula Valley Chamber of Commerce, Visit Temecula Valley, Promenade Temecula Mall, and Temecula Valley Hospital, can be found here.