SLO County moves into next phase of state’s reopening plan, allowing more businesses to operate indoors

SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. -- San Luis Obispo County has moved into the "red tier" in the State’s Blueprint for a Safer Economy.

The move allows many business that have been restricted to working outdoors only the ability to move some of their operations indoors.

Some of the businesses affected include restaurants, personal care services, houses of worship, museums, gyms and fitness centers, and movie theaters.

“While we celebrate this small success, we must stay vigilant,” San Luis Obispo County Public Health Officer Dr. Penny Borenstein said in a statement. “Our progress depends on each person in SLO County. We need everyone to do their part to slow the spread of COVID-19 in our community.”

San Luis Obispo County leaders said last week they were optimistic the county would progress to the next stage last week.

The announcement today means the county has met both required metrics used by the state to determine reopening status for the past two weeks.

San Luis Obispo County has been far under the positivity rate for several weeks, and is now under the case rate per 100,000.

According to county leaders last week, businesses affected may now begin to reopen some of their operations indoors immediately, but must do so with strict modifications.

Today's announcement by the state was welcomed with cheers from business owners, especially those most affected that have been operating outside the past several months.

"It means the world," said Chalyse Behm, who owns Anytime Fitness in Nipomo. "It just feels good to be inside. I can't express enough how happy it makes us and how it important it is to us."

Behm reopened her gym immediately after hearing the state's announcement.

It's something she said she's been waiting a long time for.

"There's just no better feeling than knowing that you get to reopen business," said Behm. "We maintained the outdoor gym. It was fine, but being inside, it's just a completely different feeling to be able to operate your business the way that you intended to."

Like all businesses, Anytime Fitness can only operate indoors by adhering to strict safety measures.

"We're rolling with the punches and doing whatever we need to, so spaced out equipment, socially distant, capacity limits, possibly have to implement a reservation system coming up here soon, and masks all the time," said Behm.

As some operations move indoors, Dr. Borenstein warned the county could be at risk of moving backwards, sliding back into the "purple tier" should case numbers climb substantially.

“Outdoor operations remain the safest environment to slow the spread of COVID-19 and should be supported whenever feasible,” Dr. Borenstein added. “If we see an increase in the spread of COVID-19 here, we will move back to purple and most indoor operations will close again very soon.”

County leaders continue to stress and advocate that residents should adhere to all safety measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19, including the use of face coverings, maintaining physical distancing , frequent hand washing and staying home when feeling sick.

"Our ability to remain open is dependent on people following the mandate and following the rules and continuing to practice social distancing and healthy COVID practices," said Behm.