~Approval will allow for reopening of dine-in restaurants with safety precautions in place~
The State of California has approved Fresno County’s request to advance further into Stage 2 of reopening in accordance with the State’s Resilience Roadmap. Approval of the variance to the State’s Stay-at-Home order, paves the way for the safe reopening of dine-in restaurants in Fresno County, which have been closed since the protective order was implemented in March.
“Finally, the state has made the decision to accept our plan, allowing Fresno County to advance in our recovery process and get businesses up and running again,” says Buddy Mendes, Chairman of the Fresno County Board of Supervisors. “Our Department of Public Health and local healthcare systems have worked tirelessly to keep Fresno County safe, and our residents, in the face of such challenging circumstances have put us in a position to safely take these next steps in our recovery.”
Businesses being permitted to operate in Stage 2 include:
Early stage (with safety measures in place)
- Curbside retail
- Manufacturers
- Logistics
- Childcare
- Office-based businesses (telework remains strongly encouraged)
- Select services such as car washes, pet grooming, landscape gardening
- Outdoor museums, open gallery spaces, other public spaces with modifications
Advanced stage
- Dine-in restaurants
- Retail stores/shopping malls
”We are proud of the work Fresno County has done to get us to this point in our recovery, but we still have work to do,” says Dr. Rais Vorha, Fresno County Interim Health Officer. “This is an important milestone to help get businesses open safely and help get our economy back on track. However, it’s important to note that this is not a return to normal. We must remain vigilant in our efforts to minimize risks and prevent further spread so that we can continue to move forward.”
The State’s variance is effective immediately and will only apply to dine-in restaurants at this time. The Department of Public Health continues to work with local restaurants to provide guidance to ensure appropriate safety measures are in place before opening their doors.
The Department of Public Health has issued Interim Guidance for Reopening, which business owners and employees may access online as a resource to help in their efforts to prepare their businesses for reopening.
Additionally, the Department of Public Health has issued an updated Health Officer Order that provides current guidance for businesses seeking to re-open, employer and resident precautions, criteria for returning to work, masking guidance and more.
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Fresno County Newsroom 