San Luis Obispo County outlines plan for future reopening
SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY, Calif. - San Luis Obispo County released a public draft on Friday explaining its proposed approach to reopening the county.
They call it the Steps to Adapt and Reopen Together (START) Guide. It is described as the culmination of work by a diverse group of stakeholders facilitated by County partner, REACH, and reviewed and adopted by the project team and County Public Health Officer Dr. Penny Borenstein.
This START Guide can be found and read at ReadySLO.org.
"I am confident that our community will be able to take steps to adapt and reopen together," said Dr. Borenstein. "This dynamic draft guide provides the public with our desired approach for a phased reopening of our communities and economy."
The START Guide incorporates a three-phased approach with clear criteria the County Health Officer can use to determine when the County can move on to the next phase, or back to a prior phase if the criteria is not met.
The County said it is currently in "Pre-Phase 1", which is under the County and State's Stay-at-Home Orders. All timing of phases will be based on data, not dates, to ensure the top priority of public health and safety.
The County explained it cannot move on to Phase 1 while the State Stay-at-Home Order remains in place. Residents and organizations will find the following in the START Guide:
- A matrix and description of the proposed three phases.
- The path to open systematically, with different requirements under each phase.
- A list of specific health criteria for moving forward and potentially backward as the situation evolves.
- Draft standards and guidelines.
"As we prepare to take steps to adapt and reopen together, we will work together to reduce risk. But we know risk won't be removed entirely," said County Administrative Officer and Emergency Services Director Wade Horton. "This draft guide will help us move forward as a community."
To review the START Guide, provide feedback, and get other COVID-19 updates in SLO County, visit ReadySLO.org, call the recorded Public Health Information Line at (805) 788-2903, or staffed phone assistance center at (805) 543-2444, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays, and from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekends.
