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Update: On August 31, 2020, the Blueprint for Safer Economy replaced the County Monitoring List for determining what businesses can and cannot open. The Blueprint utilizes a more user friendly four-tiered color system (i.e., purple [most strict guidance], red, orange, and yellow [least strict guidance]), and is updated every Tuesday. To check the status of your county and see allowable activities, please visit the Blueprint for Safer Economy webpage. Please note that businesses are still subject to California Industry Guidance, federal law, and local guidance, orders, and ordinances.
Update: On July 24, 2020, California released the Employer Playbook for a Safe Reopening. The Employer Playbook provides guidance for employers to help them plan and prepare for reopening their business and to support a safe, clean environment for workers and customers. For more information, please see: California’s New “Employer Playbook” Helps Employers Prepare for and Respond to COVID-19 Situations.
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Statewide Restrictions. California Gov. Gavin Newsom has ordered the closure of certain indoor businesses across the entire state of California. He has also placed additional restrictions on 30 counties, including Orange, Los Angeles, and San Diego. The strict shutdowns are being put into place as a response to a surge of COVID-19 cases within the state.
Effective today, July 13, 2020, ALL Counties must close indoor operations in the following sectors:
- Dine-in restaurants
- Wineries and tasting rooms
- Movie theaters
- Family entertainment centers (for example: bowling alleys, miniature golf, batting cages and arcades)
- Zoos and museums
- Cardrooms
These industries may continue to operate outside or by pick-up if they follow all statewide, county, and local guidance. On the other hand, all bars, brewpubs, breweries, and pubs must close all operations both indoor and outdoor statewide, without exception.
County-Specific Restrictions. County-specific guidance can be found on the County Variance Page and is updated irregularly but often. As of this afternoon, the following 30 counties have been on the “County Monitoring List” for at least three consecutive days:
- Colusa, Contra Costa, Fresno, Glenn, Imperial, Kern, Kings, Los Angeles, Madera, Marin, Merced, Monterey, Napa, Orange, Placer, Riverside, Sacramento, San Benito, San Bernardino, San Diego, San Joaquin, Santa Barbara, Solano, Sonoma, Stanislaus, Sutter, Tulare, Yolo, Yuba, and Ventura.
If a county has been on the “County Monitoring List” for at least three consecutive days, in addition to abiding by the new statewide restrictions, the county must also shut down the following industries, unless they can be modified to operate outside or by pick-up.
- Fitness centers
- Worship services
- Protests
- Offices for non-essential sectors
- Personal care services, like nail salons, body waxing and tattoo parlors
- Hair salons and barbershops
- Malls
Please keep in mind that in addition to the California guidance and Governor Newsom’s Orders, most individual counties and localities have also released various “Safer at Home” or equivalent orders. Contact Payne & Fears LLP if you need assistance with the guidance most applicable to your business or if you have any questions.
