“We understand totally where people are, we too are anxious to begin the reopening process, but we want to make sure we go about this the right way and provide the right guidance for businesses to adhere to"

The Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office of Emergency Services (OES) has updated the allowable services list to reflect changes made to the California Stay-at-Home Order and clarify which local businesses can reopen in this stage of the state’s reopening plan.

The Office of the Governor and California Department of Public Health (CDPH) are allowing retail businesses and the manufacturing and logistical supports for retail businesses to reopen today with limitations. Customers can be served through curbside pickup or delivery only and cannot enter the store or building.

“We understand totally where people are, we too are anxious to begin the reopening process, but we want to make sure we go about this the right way and provide the right guidance for businesses to adhere to,” Humboldt County Sheriff William Honsal said. “Right now, we’re in that early part of Stage Two. We’re close to reopening these retail establishments, but we want to make sure the guidelines are in place when they do.”

In order to clarify the new regulations, OES has updated the Allowable Services list to include businesses and industries that can operate under current state and local orders. View the updated list here: humboldtgov.org/allowableservices

Humboldt County Health Officer Dr. Teresa Frankovich said, “We want to emphasize that the governor’s statement earlier in the week meant that, beginning today, we’d be able to have a soft opening into Stage Two, in which we begin to get retail businesses that can serve their customers through pick up or delivery options opening.  Stage Two includes many types of businesses and openings will occur over a period of time.”

The Governor and CDPH are expected to provide guidance for additional industries that will also be able to reopen with modifications sometime during Stage Two, attempting to strike a balance between the state’s economic and public health.

“We are opening under a new understanding of what ‘business as usual’ looks like,” Dr. Frankovich said. “There are going to be some changes in how services are delivered, and we’re asking the public to be patient and cooperative because their experience when they shop may look and feel a bit different going forward.”