Reopening plans underway for South Lake Tahoe once given the state and county go ahead

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - In less than 90 days life has changed in South Lake Tahoe, California and the United States. The West caught up quickly to the novel coronavirus pandemic that was first contracted by a human in China on November 17, 2019.

Scientists and doctors pled for the public to stay home to keep the virus from spreading, and that plea worked better in some areas than others.

One of those places is El Dorado County and South Lake Tahoe. In order to prevent the spread and "flatten the curve," restrictions were in place to restrict travel, dining, and gathering of groups more than ten. As of April 19, there were 36 county residents who tested positive for coronavirus COVID-19 out of a population of over 192,000 and all but five have recovered, to date.

In the United States, 764,177 people have been confirmed as having COVID-19 with 40,591 dying from the virus.

There have been no deaths in South lake Tahoe or the county from the virus.

Plans are being made across the state and on the South Shore on getting back to business in a way to still protect the health of the community while allowing businesses to start making money again.

Even though South Lake Tahoe cannot put the "open" sign at the city limits until it is allowed by the State and the County, they are able to plan for when that happens.

The South Lake Tahoe City Council created two committees to help the community recover, one for the short term and the other for the long haul, the Transformational Change committee. Applications are being accepted for residents to be on the long-term committee, but things have been full steam ahead with the short-term one.

City Council appointed Mayor Pro Tem Tamara Wallace and Councilwoman Brooke Laine and to lead the team of diverse community members that represent the different geographic areas of South Lake Tahoe from the Y to Stateline. The committee members are Jamie Orr, Elie Alyeshnerni, Ted Kennedy, Christy Wilson, Tom Fortune, Amanda Adams, Debbie Brown, Marissa Fox, Victor Mora, Joelle Shearin, Carol Chaplin, Jerry Bindel, and a Tahoe Chamber member along with Lisa Granahan. Granahan is the economic vitality manager for Douglas County and isn't a voting member, but is there to represent cohesive messaging across the state line.

Wallace said they have been meeting in subcommittees as well as a large group. The smaller groups will focus on citizens, business resources and strategy.

"We want to get open for business once we are able to," said Wallace. "We want to start these programs now."

Once they create a refined plan it will go before the full City Council on April 28. Wallace said she can't speak for the committee at this time, not until they have that plan ready for Council. She did say those plans could include small business grants, tourist information on how to navigate social distancing while enjoying the lake as they manage expectations of the public.

Governor Newsom has created a state Task Force on Business and Jobs Recovery. The Task Force will be co-chaired by Governor Newsom’s Chief of Staff Ann O’Leary and philanthropist, environmentalist and businessman Tom Steyer (former presidential candidate and part-time Glenbrook resident), who was also appointed Chief Advisor to the Governor on Business and Jobs Recovery. Other political and business leaders are on the task force along with Walt Disney Company Executive Chairman Bob Iger.

“This pandemic has forced millions of Californians out of jobs – with the most vulnerable hit the hardest,” said Governor Newsom earlier this week. “While we have made significant progress in flattening the curve and increased preparedness of our health care delivery system, the actions taken have also impacted the economy, poverty and overall health care in California. We will use a gradual, science-based and data-driven framework to guide our re-opening timing while planning our economic recovery. I am honored that dozens of leaders in business, labor, health and philanthropy are stepping up to meet this moment by committing their time and talent to lift up all Californians. Through their leadership, and the leadership of California’s 40 million residents, I have no doubt we will emerge stronger from this crisis.”

There are six indicators that have to be met in California before the stay-at-home orders are modified:

- The ability to monitor and protect our communities through testing, contact tracing, isolating, and supporting those who are positive or exposed;
- The ability to prevent infection in people who are at risk for more severe COVID-19;
- The ability of the hospital and health systems to handle surges;
- The ability to develop therapeutics to meet the demand;
- The ability for businesses, schools, and child care facilities to support physical distancing; and
- The ability to determine when to reinstitute certain measures, such as the stay-at-home orders, if necessary.

Wallace said South Lake Tahoe has accomplished most of those though testing everyone before they go back to work still has to be accomplished. The City will be coordinating with Barton Hospital and El Dorado County on how to get this done and get them safely back to work.

Once South Lake Tahoe is back open for business officials want to make sure there isn't a surge of COVID-19 cases.

The incoming South Lake Tahoe City Manager Joe Irvin starts work on Monday, May 4 but he's already hit the ground running and has been meeting daily with the interim manager Brad Kilger and has had discussions with the City Council members.

The discussion of the short term recovery plan for South Lake Tahoe can be viewed on Channel 21 or via the City's website on Tuesday, April 28. The agenda and meeting time has not been posted yet.

Timeline of the novel coronavirus:

January 25 - First case of coronavirus in Southern California
January 31 - First case of coronavirus in Northern California
February 25 - San Francisco declares local emergency
March 4 - Governor Newsom declares emergency
March 12 - El Dorado County declares public health emergency
March 13 - President Trump Declares National Emergency
March 16 - Lake Tahoe Unified School District closes local schools
March 19 - Governor Newsom issues Stay at Home order
March 19 - City of South Lake Tahoe declares local emergency
March 27 - City of South Lake Tahoe issues emergency order that 2nd homeowners and vacation renters should not travel to South Lake Tahoe to utilize a home. Fine of $1,000 imposed if found to break Governor's ban on nonessential travel.
April 1 - Lake Tahoe Unified School District closes schools for the remainder of school year
April 15 - USFS announces all of their developed recreation sites in Lake Tahoe are closed to the public due to COVID-19 and social distancing concerns on trails and the beaches. The order goes through April 30, at least.
April 15 - El Dorado County makes renting a vacation home at Lake Tahoe a civil matter with fines up to $1,000.