Ventura County moves to Stage 2, reopens low-risk businesses

VENTURA COUNTY, Calif. - Ventura County Public Health Officer Doctor Robert Levin announced on Thursday, a new modified Stay Well VC Health Order to align with the State of California’s four-stage framework for reopening.

Stage 2 begins on Friday and allows lower-risk businesses such as clothing stores, bookstores, sporting goods stores and florists, for example, to reopen with curb side delivery, as well as the related manufacturing and supply chain businesses.

“Our community members have answered the call to stay well at home and thanks to them, we are in a position to move forward. These actions have saved lives. It is critical that our community continues to use caution. The virus is not gone. It is dangerous and poses a significant health risk. As we move into the next stage, we must do so with great care. We must continue to practice social distancing and businesses must make modifications needed to lower the risk of COVID-19 exposure,” said Public Health Officer Doctor Robert Levin.

County officials said they've made progress toward meeting Governor Newsom's requirements to move forward to the next stage of reopening. They include hospital surge and personal protective equipment capacity; protection of high-risk patient populations: seniors, long term care facility residents, homeless; contact tracing capacity and thoughtful data driven public health guidance.

IMPORTANT MESSAGE FOR BUSINESSES PLANNING TO REOPEN

Before, reopening, all facilities must confirm the following:

• My business is in one of the designated industries permitted to reopen by the State of California & the VC Health Officer order
• I have performed a detailed risk assessment of my business in accordance with state guidelines
• I have a written worksite-specific COVID-19 prevention plan and have posted it at my business
• I have implemented control and screening measures for my business
• I have implemented disinfecting protocols for my business in accordance with state guidelines
• I have trained employees on how to limit the spread of COVID-19 including how to screen themselves for symptoms
• I agree to have an on-duty employee responsible for monitoring compliance with my plan
• I have posted the compliance hotline flyer provided in a prominent location visible to the public and employees
• I have completed the attestation form on www.vcreopen.com.  

If you are a business that is already permitted to be open and in operation you are asked to review these requirements and confirm that you have met these requirements by registering your business by May 18, 2020.