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Press release from Humboldt County’s Joint Information Center:

More than 350 business Reopening Plans have been received and 75 have been approved since the online certification process began Wednesday afternoon. The Reopening Certification Team is prioritizing those businesses that are able to reopen immediately.

The Humboldt County Office of Emergency Services is currently reviewing Reopening Plans for Stage One businesses that have been open and serving the public since the Shelter-in-Place Order took effect, as well as those businesses that are already approved to open as part of Stage Two. Initial review for all plans submitted for these sectors is expected to be complete by close of business today.

Sectors whose plans will be reviewed first because these sectors are permitted to operate:

• Curb-side retail
• Manufacturers
• Logistics
• Child care for those outside of the essential workforce
• Office-based businesses (telework remains strongly encouraged)
• Select services: car washes, pet grooming and landscape gardening
• Outdoor museums, and open gallery spaces and other public spaces with modifications
• Walk-in retail.

Sectors whose plans will be approved later in the process because these sectors are NOT yet permitted to operate:

• Destination retail, including shopping malls and swap meets
• Dine-in restaurants (other amenities, like bars or gaming areas, are not permitted in Stage Two)
• Schools with modifications.

All businesses that are listed under Stage Two may submit a plan for review and, once approved, may begin putting safety measures in place. The timeline to reopen additional sectors will be determined by the County Health Officer based on several factors.

County Health Officer Dr. Teresa Frankovich said Public Health will carefully monitor local data, including case counts, contact tracing operations and health care system status. “As we move forward, we may need to slow or pause our efforts at various points in time in order to avoid having to move back into a more restrictive shelter-in-place mode and to avoid a strain on our health care system,” Frankovich said. “It’s important that everyone work together to adhere to all of the public health measures we’ve put in place such as facial coverings, social distancing, hand-washing, limiting movement and not congregating in groups outside our family unit other than under specific circumstances such as child care settings or in the workplace.”

Access the online application here: humboldtgov.org/2756/Business-Compliance. More business sectors will be added as additional guidance is provided by the State of California to help businesses comply with county and state mandates, including the Division of Occupational Safety and Health better known as Cal/OSHA. For assistance completing the online application or accessing additional business resources, contact the Business Information Line at 707-268-2527.

For the most recent COVID-19 information, visit cdc.gov or cdph.ca.gov. Local information is available at humboldtgov.org or during business hours by contacting covidinfo@co.humboldt.ca.us or calling 707-441-5000.