Newsom Outlines Broad Plan to Resume Work
Gov. Gavin Newsom on Tuesday outlined a cautious plan to reopen the virtually shuttered California economy in phases in the coming weeks as COVID-19 cases stabilize.
Newsom said we are “weeks, not months, away from making meaningful modifications,” as he broadly charted a four-stage comeback plan that included no timetable.
His plan comes amid mounting pressure to reopen the state, especially since hospitals have not been overwhelmed by COVID-19 cases – the original fear that rationalized shuttering the economy. Some other states are easing restrictions soon, and images over the weekend showing beachgoers in Orange and Ventura counties – which Newsom criticized Tuesday – demonstrate that many people are ready to resume at least somewhat more normal activity.
Newsom said the first two phases involve reopening low-risk businesses and that we are in phase one now. He called for more curbside options for retailers and said manufacturers and small businesses with few on-site customers would be among the first to reopen.
The second phase – which he said will be “upon us, we believe, in the next few weeks” – might include allowing some K-12 schools to offer summer classes or consider an earlier start to the upcoming school year to make up for the lost time. Such a plan could allow child-care facilities to resume operations.
He also said businesses that open must keep as many people as possible working from home. And employers must show they have created safe workplaces.
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