Local business leaders launch petition for a waiver on new Stay At Home order
–Local business leaders this weekend drafted a petition asking California Gov. Gavin Newsom for a waiver for San Luis Obispo County on enforcing the strict new Regional Stay at Home order:
Dear Governor Newsom,
San Luis Obispo (SLO) County businesses have recently experienced unbelievable and unprecedented challenges due to the pandemic, the restrictions on business, and loss of revenue. The local businesses have complied with these restrictions and have shown extreme patience as they wait to fully reopen.
Because of our residents and business compliance, the proactive measures by our public health department, city and county leaders we have experienced very low COVID-19 hospitalizations and deaths in San Luis Obispo County.
We recognize that public safety and saving lives is the priority and understand that in neighboring counties hospitals are reaching their ICU capacity.
However, currently, San Luis Obispo County has one person in ICU due to COVID-19. Our statistics and projections in SLO County do not compare to the other Southern California counties in which we have been grouped. Therefore, we respectfully ask that your office provide the opportunity for a waiver and data-based process for our county to be exempted from the Regional Stay at Home Order.
Please help us in supporting our local businesses and economy.
Thank you for your consideration.
Respectfully,
Jocelyn Brennan, South County Chambers
Erica Crawford, Morro Bay Chamber of Commerce
Gina Fitzpatrick, Paso Robles Chamber of Commerce
Josh Cross, Atascadero Chamber of Commerce
Jim Dantona, San Luis Obispo Chamber of Commerce
Joel Peterson, Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance
Kathleen Naughton, SLO Coast Wine
Click here to see the petition.
About the Regional Stay Home Order
The Regional Stay Home Order was announced on December 3rd and went into effect in San Luis Obispo County on Sunday, December 6th.
It prohibits private gatherings of any size, closes sector operations except for critical infrastructure and retail, and requires 100% masking and physical distancing in all others.
The order will remain in effect for at least three weeks and, after that period, will be lifted when a region’s projected ICU capacity meets or exceeds 15%. This will be assessed on a weekly basis after the initial three-week period.
The Regional Stay Home Order instructs Californians to stay at home as much as possible to limit the mixing with other households that can lead to COVID-19 spread. It allows access to (and travel for) critical services and allows outdoor activities to preserve Californians’ physical and mental health.
In any region that triggers a Regional Stay Home Order because it drops below 15% ICU capacity, the following sectors must close:
- Indoor and outdoor playgrounds
- Indoor recreational facilities
- Hair salons and barbershops
- Personal care services
- Museums, zoos, and aquariums
- Movie theaters
- Wineries
- Bars, breweries, and distilleries
- Family entertainment centers
- Cardrooms and satellite wagering
- Limited services
- Live audience sports
- Amusement parks
The following sectors will have additional modifications in addition to 100% masking and physical distancing:
Outdoor recreational facilities: Allow outdoor operation only without any food, drink or alcohol sales. Additionally, overnight stays at campgrounds will not be permitted.
Retail: Allow indoor operation at 20% capacity with entrance metering and no eating or drinking in the stores. Additionally, special hours should be instituted for seniors and others with chronic conditions or compromised immune systems.
- Shopping centers: Allow indoor operation at 20% capacity with entrance metering and no eating or drinking in the stores. Additionally, special hours should be instituted for seniors and others with chronic conditions or compromised immune systems.
- Hotels and lodging: Allow to open for critical infrastructure support only.
- Restaurants: Allow only for take-out, pick-up, or delivery.
- Offices: Allow remote only except for critical infrastructure sectors where remote working is not possible.
- Places of worship and political expression: Allow outdoor services only.
- Entertainment production including professional sports: Allow operation without live audiences. Additionally, testing protocol and “bubbles” are highly encouraged.
The following sectors are allowed to remain open when a remote option is not possible with appropriate infectious disease preventative measures including 100% masking and physical distancing:
- Critical infrastructure
- Schools that are already open for in-person learning
- Non-urgent medical and dental care
- Child care and pre-K
Source: Paso Robles Chamber of Commerce
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