#Breaking #Reopening

California to Let Schools, Gyms Bars and More Reopen Next Week

California will allow the reopening of schools, day camps, bars, gyms and some sports with modifications starting next week.

Details about the significant step as the state gradually pulls back a stay-home order issued in mid-March were not immediately available.

Mark Ghaly, the state’s top health official, said the state plans to release guidance Friday for counties to follow to reopen a broad range of businesses that have been closed since mid-March because of concerns about spreading the coronavirus.

The state has already allowed most counties to reopen restaurants, hair salons, churches, and retail stores with modifications.

Ghaly stressed that it’s up to counties to determine whether they are ready to reopen based on their ability to manage an expected increase in the number of those testing positive. He said Thursday that the state’s coronavirus cases and hospitalizations remain stable.

The rules will apply only to counties that have received a regional variance proving to the state that they have plans in place to move through the reopening process safely.

Newsom said last week that he would allow counties which are officially in Stage 2 of the state’s 4-stage reopening plan to gradually start moving into Stage 3. He did not provide specific timelines.

But the state is monitoring and preparing for a potential increase in cases due to broader reopening and mass protests across the state against racial injustice.

California has reported more than 122,000 coronavirus cases and more than 4,400 deaths.

For most people, the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause pneumonia and death.