County to ask Governor Newsom to allow their move into next stage of reopening

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - If California Governor Newsom gives guidelines on the next industries that can open in the state, El Dorado County will be able to move quickly and reopen more businesses and activities.

During his next news conference Friday, it is anticipated Newsom will present guidelines for businesses that can start to reopen, ones that are important to an economy like South Lake Tahoe - hotels, campgrounds, and tourism. Information on the opening of bars, museums, schools, professional sports with no fans present and tasting rooms is also expected Friday. In order for lodging properties to open and have guests, Newsom would also have to drop the Stay at Home order and his ban on nonessential travel.

During a special meeting of the El Dorado County Board of Supervisors meeting Tuesday, the five members voted unanimously to support reopening all industry sectors as soon as the State issues those industries’ specific guidelines, even if they originally fell into a later stage.

“My direction expressed to and supported by the Board Tuesday is simple and clear: as soon as the State issues guidelines for a particular sector, those businesses may reopen as long as they have implemented a safety plan which reflects those guidelines. There is no additional approval needed from the County’s Public Health department or me specifically," said El Dorado County Public Health Officer Dr. Nancy Williams.

The Board voted to send a letter to Newsom after conferring with the cities of South Lake Tahoe and Placerville, Barton Hospital and Marshall Hospital. The letter would include:

1) The need for more guidelines to be released for Stage 3 in order to allow the County to open up as many tourist based businesses and other related
businesses that provide personal services;
2) Addressing the inconsistencies with the non-essential travel ban; and
3) A timeline for the release of guidelines.

Newsom's directions on Friday could eliminate or change the need for such a letter.

“I cannot stress enough, however, that if a business reopens before the State-issued guidelines have been posted, it is doing so in violation of the State’s Stay At Home order," said Dr. Williams.