SACRAMENTO — Gov. Gavin Newsom on Tuesday outlined some of the factors state officials will be using to decide when and how to modify the current stay-at-home order amid the COVID-19 crisis.
During a Tuesday press conference, the governor said he wanted to lay out a “road map” for what needs to be considered as the state develops an action plan for managing the next phase of the pandemic.
“While Californians have stepped up in a big way to flatten the curve and buy us time to prepare to fight the virus, at some point in the future we will need to modify our stay-at-home order,” Gov. Newsom said. “As we contemplate reopening parts of our state, we must be guided by science and data, and we must understand that things will look different than before.”
Gov. Newsom said waiters at restaurants will likely be wearing masks and gloves when restaurants reopen and that diners’ temperatures could be checked before entering the restaurant. He also suggested public schools could stagger student arrival times and class schedules in order to maintain social distancing.
The governor outlined six key indicators on Tuesday that he said would be necessary before lifting the stay-at-home order:
- The ability to monitor and protect communities through testing, contact tracing, isolating, and supporting those who are positive or exposed
- The ability to prevent infection in people who are at risk for more severe COVID-19.
- The ability of the hospital and health systems to handle surges.
- The ability to develop “therapeutics,” which the governor said were vital until a vaccine is created.
- The ability for businesses, schools and child care facilities to support physical distancing once they reopen.
- The ability to determine when to re-institute certain stay-at-home measures if necessary.
State officials also said they want to make sure they have a plan in place to reintroduce the stay-at-home order or other measures if the need arises after current restrictions are eased.
The governor emphasized all Californians need to continue to practice physical distancing. His statewide order has been in place since March 19.
On Tuesday, the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases across the state increased by more than 1,000, with Los Angeles County alone reporting its highest, single-day death toll of 40 coronavirus-related fatalities.
