Continuing to take steps to deliver relief to San Diegans affected by Covid-19, Mayor Kevin L. Faulconer was joined on May 11 by County Board of Supervisors Chairman Greg Cox to urge the governor to provide more local control to counties that are seeing sustained progress in the response to Covid-19.
The call to action follows a letter sent by Faulconer and Cox asking the governor to provide clearer and more practical guidance on safely reopening the economy.
“We are urging the governor to give consistent and achievable metrics for a safe reopening,” Faulconer said. “Some of the state’s requirements aren’t realistic and would keep people unemployed for many months if left in place. This isn’t about returning to normal, it’s about letting us get started with the new normal.”
“The current phasing approach has confused and frustrated the workforce, millions of which have been pushed into unemployment and are struggling to make ends meet. Our workers, businesses and residents are now looking for practical state guidance on how to safely reopen our economy,” Faulconer and Cox wrote in the letter. “Some of the state’s ‘Stage 2 Readiness Criteria’ released on May 7, such as the restriction that a county has ‘No Covid-19 death in the past 14 days,’ are not realistic standards that can be met any time soon in counties across the state. Requirements like this could very well ensure major parts of our economy are shut down indefinitely until therapeutics and vaccines are available to the general public, which is expected to take at least another year.”
Faulconer and Cox recently introduced guidelines developed by industry and workforce leaders to prepare the region to restart economic activity. The guidance can be used by restaurants, hair and nail salons, and other businesses planning to safely reopen their doors. The plan includes five focus areas and a checklist of corresponding actions, which have been recommended by the RECOVER Advisory Group with input from County Public Health officials. They include:
• Employee health: Require personal protection equipment (PPE) for employees and commit to voluntary compliance with public health officials on contact tracing and testing. • Safe worksite entry: Establish controlled entrance and exit practices to avoid queuing issues and work with the Public Health Department to create processes for employee symptom checks. • Workplace distancing and conditions: Evaluate occupancy and capacity to ensure proper physical distancing and keep shifts consistent with the same employees in each rotation or shift. • Employee training and compliance: Ensure signage on safety requirements, such as hand washing, physical distancing and reporting procedures for employees who become ill.?• Enhanced cleaning and sanitation: Develop a sanitation plan that includes frequent cleaning of restrooms, workstations, and public spaces. In consultation with the RECOVER Advisory Group, which sought expertise from business, labor, and educational leaders, the County Board of Supervisors voted to adopt a Business Safety Framework that businesses must follow to reopen once state restrictions are lifted. Every business will need to demonstrate how it can operate safely in compliance with state and county requirements.
The RECOVER Advisory Group also provided enhanced guidance specific to various industries, including: • Restaurants. • Wellness facilities. • Attractions and tourism. • Commercial real estate. • Construction. • Hospitality.
