Nevada City, CA May 10, 2020 – Nevada County is still under the statewide Stay-at-Home order but is prepared to meet the State’s readiness criteria to move further into Stage 2 reopening and reopen more local businesses. Nevada County businesses are encouraged to prepare to safely reopen if they fit into the Stage 2 sectors in the California Recovery Plan. Reopening will not look like business as usual pre-COVID pandemic and businesses will need to follow the guidance from the State and County in order to protect their employees and customers.
On Friday, May 8th, curbside retail was able to begin reopening with COVID-19 Prevention Plans in place. These businesses include:
• bookstores
• jewelry stores
• toy stores
• clothing stores
• shoe stores
• home and furnishing stores
• sporting goods stores
• antique stores
• music stores
• Florists
• Supply chains supporting the above businesses, in manufacturing and logistics sectors
Once the Nevada County Public Health has their required phone call with the California Department of Public Health Monday morning, the County is hopeful that more businesses categorized in Stage 2 will be able to open on Tuesday, May 12th, including:
• Destination retail, including shopping malls and swap meets.
• Personal services, limited to: car washes, pet grooming, tanning facilities, and landscape gardening.
• Office-based businesses (telework remains strongly encouraged)
• Dine-in restaurants (other facility amenities, like bars or gaming areas, are not permitted)
• Schools and childcare facilities
• Outdoor museums and open gallery spaces
Businesses not able to reopen as part of Stage 2 include:
• Gyms and fitness studios
• Hair and nail salons
• Tattoo parlors
• Community facilities, libraries, public pools, playgrounds, and picnic areas
• Churches, religious services and cultural ceremonies
• Hospitality services, such as bars and lounges
• Entertainment venues, such as movie theaters, gaming facilities, and pro sports
• Indoor museums, kids museums and gallery spaces, zoos
• Nightclubs
• Concert venues
• Festivals
• Theme parks
• Hotels/lodging for leisure and tourism
Guidance and COVID-19 Prevention Plans for Businesses
In order to reduce the level of risk of spreading COVID-19, each business should implement a COVID-19 Prevention Plan, which will address implementing risk mitigating practices in their business to create safe environments for workers and customers.
Both the State and Nevada County’s Recovery Advisory Committee have created guidance and checklists to help local businesses create a COVID-19 Prevention Plan and reopen safely:
• State guidance for multiple business sectors: covid19.ca.gov/roadmap
• Practical Advice for Modified Business Reopening (Committee Recommendations for Business
Reopening) (PDF)
• Retail Store Reopening Plan and Checklist (PDF)
• Restaurant Reopening Plan and Checklist (PDF)
• Restaurant Customer Code of Conduct Flyers (PDF)
• Employee Health and Training Agreement (PDF)
• Customer Code of Conduct Flyer for Businesses (PNG)
Find these resources at www.mynevadacounty.com/coronavirus/businesses. More local resources will become available as we continue to work through Stage 2 and Stage 3 reopening as a community.
We Are Here to Help
We are working with our local Chambers and business organizations to help share these resources with our business community. Starting Tuesday, May 12th, County staff will begin stopping by local businesses and restaurants to answer questions and provide guidance on creating a COVID-19 Prevention Plan to help keep our businesses open, and our community healthy and safe.
Businesses with questions about modifying business practices to keep customers safe and slow the spread of COVID-19 can email COVID19recovery@co.nevada.ca.us. General coronavirus questions can be directed to the Coronavirus Call Center at 1-833-DIAL211 or 211@connectingpoint.org.
As we move forward through Stage 2, Nevada County needs to continue practicing social distancing, good hygiene, wearing face coverings in public, minimizing going into public spaces, and educating friends, family and favorite businesses on the current recommendations. Thank you for your patience as we plan for a safe transition towards opening some lower-risk businesses and onward to a sustainable recovery.