New CA Business Reopening Oder Released Today - What Does This Mean for Santa Clara County?

Posted on August 28, 2020.

Governor Gavin Newsom released the latest guidelines today for further business reopening measures. So, what will this mean for Santa Clara county businesses that have thus far been restricted to outdoor only service?

Santa Clara county businesses that have only been permitted to offer outdoor services will now be allowed to open restricted indoor use starting on Monday. These restrictions will include limiting indoor capacity to 25% for most retail stores, salons, and barbershops. Restaurants, gyms, and fitness centers will still not be allowed to offer any indoor service.

The roll out for restrictive indoor use is determined by a color-coded system (purple, red, orange, and yellow in descending order) based on a county’s number of Covid-19 cases per 100,000 residents and the percentage of tests that come back positive. Currently all but 2 bay area counties are classified as purple due to widespread Covid-19, this includes Santa Clara County.

If the two statistical measures identifying the color code can be lowered sufficiently and then hold for 2 weeks, then Santa Clara County will be moved to red, which would allow some businesses to operate indoors at 50% capacity. These tiers will be reevaluated and updated every Tuesday. If a county and a state rule conflict, the business must adhere to the stricter rule.

This is a glimmer of welcome news for salons and shops that have been waiting in limbo, unsure of when they will be able to resume much needed indoor activity for their services.