South Lake Tahoe and El Dorado County businesses move towards green light on reopening

EL DORADO COUNTY, Calif. - Many South Lake Tahoe businesses will be able to open soon, but not until they have plans in place that comply with the State’s COVID-19 guidelines and the State approves and publishes the public health director's signed Variance Attestation and supporting documents.

During a special meeting on Friday, the El Dorado County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a letter to Governor Newsom that supports the El Dorado County’s Public Health Officer Dr. Nancy Williams' plan outlining the County’s readiness to move fully into Stage 2 under his Stay-At-Home Order.

“I’m pleased to announce that, in conjunction with County leadership, the Emergency Operations Center, City leaders from Placerville and South Lake Tahoe, our hospitals and healthcare centers and my public health team, I believe El Dorado County meets or exceeds the criteria the State requires for us to move fully into Stage 2 as quickly as the Governor permits,” said Williams.

Businesses that can open once those two items are completed are:

Curbside retail, including but not limited to:
Books
Jewelry
Toys
Clothing
Shoes
Home and furnishing
Sporting goods
Antiques
Music
Florists

Some of these may have the proper modifications in place to open because those guidelines have already been published by the state.

Essential businesses (listed here) did not have to wait for approval to open.

Travel to El Dorado County and South Lake Tahoe is still not considered essential travel. No lodging and public restroom facilities are open at this time. Many beaches and other recreational activities have yet to reopen as well. Second homeowners though are welcome to visit their house, but not rent it out to visitors.

“Businesses that can open now – and those which will be able to open after further guidance is provided by the State – must understand that they cannot simply turn on the lights, unlock the doors and resume business as usual but that they must first implement the safety guidelines from the State,” Williams added. “And it’s
critically important that the public help businesses stay open by adhering to the physical distancing and personal hygiene practices needed for these businesses to remain open.”

Some businesses in Stage 2 will not be able to open immediately, most notably dine-in restaurants, because the State has not yet provided the guidelines under which they can develop and implement their safe-opening plans, noted Williams. Newsom said those are forthcoming on Tuesday.

“I cannot stress this enough: as soon as the additional guidelines for dine-in restaurants, schools, and childcare, as well as for in-store retail business to resume are provided and businesses can thoughtfully develop their plans, those businesses can open, but not beforehand,” Williams said.

The Variance Attestation form, the letter from the Board to Governor Newsom supporting the Variance Attestation, support letters from the Cities of South Lake Tahoe and Placerville, and the County’s two hospitals, Marshall Medical and Barton Health can be found here.

Businesses in Stage 2 that cannot yet open – but will be allowed to open, with modifications, in El Dorado County immediately upon State guidance next week:

Dine-in restaurants
Shopping malls
Swap meets
Car washes
Pet grooming
Tanning facilities
Landscape gardening
Schools
Childcare facilities
Outdoor museums
Open gallery spaces

There is no discussion yet about any timeline to move to Stage 3. Businesses not slated to resume until Stages 3 or 4 include nail salons, tattoo parlors, gyms and fitness studios, bars and lounges, movie theatres, gaming facilities, pro sports, indoor museums, kids’ museums and gallery spaces, zoos, libraries, community centers, public pools, playgrounds, picnic areas, religious services and cultural ceremonies, nightclubs, concert venues, festivals, theme parks, hotels/lodging for leisure and tourism.

The State’s list of businesses and guidelines allowed under Stage 2 can be found here .

The County’s general reopening guidance for businesses and employers can be found here.

Questions & Answers - COVID-19 Stage 2