L.A. County Opens, In Alignment With State Regulations

In a major COVID-19 recovery milestone, Los Angeles County will move toward new standards for reopening in alignment with the State of California guidelines. Among the activities now permitted under the change are faith-based services, in-store shopping at retail stores, drive-in movies and other recreational pursuits.

In aligning its health officer orders with the state’s California Pandemic Resilience Roadmap, the county emphasized its commitment to keeping residents “safer at work and safer in our communities.” The updated health officer order, issued May 26, by the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, is part of a phased progression guiding the safe resumption of public life in Los Angeles County.

The change also allows for the county to request a variance from the state to permit swifter reopening of some sectors.

Examples of activities now permitted under the changes enacted today:

Faith-based organizations may resume services, with the number of congregants limited to less than 25% of the building’s capacity, or a maximum of 100 people, whichever is lower.

All retail, including those located in indoor and outdoor retail shopping centers may now open for business at 50% capacity.

Flea markets, swap meets and drive-in movie theaters may resume operations.

Pools, hot tubs and saunas that are in a multi-unit residence or part of a homeowners association may now open.

The Health Officer Order also provides guidelines for public protests. In-person protests are permitted as long as attendance is limited to 25% of the area’s maximum occupancy, or a maximum of 100 attendees, whichever is lower.

The order emphasizes that physical distancing requirements, cloth face coverings and other safety protocols must be observed as the recovery progresses.

The requirements below are specific to retail establishments permitted to reopen for in-person shopping.
This document may be updated, you can check the LA County website regularly for any updates://www.ph.lacounty.gov/media/Coronavirus/
This checklist covers:
(1) Workplace policies and practices to protect employee health
(2) Measures to ensure physical distancing
(3) Measures to ensure infection control
(4) Communication with employees and the public
(5) Measures to ensure equitable access to critical services.
These five key areas must be addressed as your facility develops any reopening protocols.

The updated order allows people to take part in all permitted activities while continuing to practice physical distancing and wearing a cloth face covering when in contact with others. Although these updates are being enacted today, Los Angeles County residents are still encouraged to remain in their residences as much as practical and limit close contact with others outside their household both indoor and outdoor.

Gatherings of people not from the same household are still prohibited, except for faith-based services and in-person protests.

Additionally, people 65 years old or older and all people of any age with underlying health conditions should remain in their residences as much as possible. People in these categories should only leave their residences to seek medical care, exercise or obtain food or other necessities. Telework should continue as much as possible.

The County Public Health Department will continue to monitor COVID-19 data indicators closely and may, after consultation with the Board of Supervisors, adjust orders to reflect specific County needs.