By Ronald Penh
The city of Gardena will align with LA County’s five staged approach in reopening their cities which involves gradual relaxation of the Safer at Home order by allowing low-risk businesses to operate through curbside pick-up services and reopening certain outdoor activities.
As of May 8, the following businesses have been allowed to open through curbside pick-up services, according to the County of Los Angeles website:
– Bookstores
– Clothing stores
– Florists
– Music stores
– Sporting goods stores
– Toy stores
– Car dealership showrooms (open for sales with adherence to distancing and infection control protocols)
These businesses are part of the second stage of the recovery plan, which also includes the reopening of museums, galleries, cultural centers which do not yet have a timeline in place to reopen.
The following outdoor recreational areas have also opened up as of May 9:
– Golf courses
– Trails and trailheads
– Parks
Beaches in Orange, San Diego, Ventura, and Santa Barbara counties have opened up with restrictions in place while LA County beaches can open up by Wednesday, May 13.
According to the County of Los Angeles website, the curve has flattened however “the coronavirus is still deadly and capable of quickly taking many lives.
Proper infection protocol such as distancing yourself from others at a minimum of six feet and wearing a face mask will still be in place which are precautionary measures that Mayor Tasha Cerda said could stay in practice until the end of the year.
“We’re trying to as quickly as possible get back to normal, but the new normal may just be wearing face masks throughout the end of the year and continuing practicing social distancing and constantly washing our hands,” Cerda said. “I really believe that because COVID-19 is not just going to disappear right away.”
“I know businesses want to reopen, I know residents want to get back out, but as a mayor, I have to look at the health of the city first,” Cerda said. “So when I look at the number of positive cases, when I look at the number of deaths, that’s got to be first and foremost. And as much as I know people want it to reopen and get back to work, our health is right now a priority.”
Stage three of the recovery plan involves the reopening of higher-risk businesses such as bars, nightclubs, massage parlors, barbershops, nail salons, gyms, movie theaters, bowling alleys as well as schools, colleges, and universities.
Stage four involves the reopening of highest-risk businesses such as large conventions and sporting and spectator events.
Stage five indicates a resume to normal operations, however, it is likely that precautionary measures to help control the spread of infection will remain in place.
The timeline for the 5 stage recovery plan remains unknown as the COVID-19 situation continues to unravel.
Social distancing, wearing a face mask, and washing your hands throughout the day will remain as vital efforts to keep the curve down as Gardena can modify recovery guidelines at any time.
