LA County Can Reopen Barbershops, Restaurants, Salons: Officials

Los Angeles County, which accounts for over half of Californias COVID-19 deaths, is moving deeper into phase two of the states reopening plan, which lets operations resume at places like barbershops and restaurants.

Chair of the L.A. County Board of Supervisors Kathryn Barger told a press conference Friday that state authorities approved a regional variance—a kind of permit that lets counties further open their economies if they meet benchmarks—including around case, hospitalization, and testing data.

“Our Board of Supervisors voted to seek a variance from the State to align with the majority of other counties in California,” Barger said, adding, “Today, we got word that Gov. Newsom approved the variance, allowing barbershops, hair salons, and restaurants to reopen.”

She said the move represents “monumental progress for Los Angeles County on the path toward recovery.”

The variances allow counties to move deeper into phase two of Californias reopening roadmap. The county submitted its variance application on Wednesday to state authorities, with Barger telling the Los Angeles Times she was hopeful for an approval by Friday.

“Regional data shows we have flattened the curve, indicating our readiness to move forward in phased recovery,” Barger told the Los Angeles Times.

“This will put Los Angeles County on a level playing field with surrounding counties, which have already been granted variances,” she added.

Earlier in the week, California Gov. Gavin Newsom cleared the way for barbershops and hair salons to open in counties approved to move deeper into phase two.

“Along those lines, they [counties] will be able to add in barbershops and hair salons to those regional variations starting today,” Newsom said on Tuesday, adding that the businesses will have to operate with safety modifications.

“We put those guidelines out … and those counties will begin to allow for those kinds of operations with meaningful modifications,” he added, citing things like protective gear, face coverings, and sanitizing protocols.

County health officials are expected to announce restrictions on operations, which will be detailed in reopening protocols, which have not yet been released publicly.

“We are waiting on the Countys order outlining a reopen date and protocols for businesses. Those protocols and info on included businesses will be posted,” Santa Clarita City authorities announced in a statement, and provided a link>Read More – Source