San Andreas, CA…Effective Friday, June 19, 2020, Calaveras County will be moving further into Stage 3 of the Roadmap to Recovery with the reopening of an additional sector of local businesses with modifications. Expanded Personal Care Services will join the list of Stage 3 businesses that can reopen with modifications. Personal care services are defined as those services that require touching a client’s face, such as facials, electrolysis, and waxing. This guidance also applies to esthetician, skin care, and cosmetology services; electrology; nail salons; body art professionals, tattoo parlors, and piercing shops; and massage therapy (in non-healthcare settings). This guidance includes stringent protections intended to support a safe, clean environment for workers and customers.

“Calaveras County has shown stable hospitalizations related to COVID-19 and disease activity has met the California Department of Public Health criteria to move further ahead with reopening,” said Dr. Dean Kelaita, Calaveras County Health Officer. “That could quickly change and depends on the preventive actions of individuals, workplaces, and communities to keep it that way.”

Further movement into Stage 3 means that the certain businesses can re-open so long as they meet State requirements that include: 1. Performing a detailed risk assessment and implement a site-specific protection plan 2. Training employees on how to limit the spread of COVID-19, including how to screen themselves for symptoms and stay home if they have them 3. Implementing individual control measures and screenings 4. Implementing disinfecting protocols 5. Implementing physical distancing guidelines Industry specific detail about how to meet these State requirements can be found at: https://covid19.ca.gov/industry-guidance/ and https://covid19.ca.gov/roadmap-counties/.

Businesses that are allowed to reopen as part of Stage 3 should keep their risk assessment and site-specific protection plan on hand at their place of business so that customers who wish to see it, can.

The following are not permitted in Stage 3 at this time:  Indoor playgrounds such as bounce centers, ball pits and laser tag  Live theater  Saunas and steam rooms  Nightclubs  Concert venues  Festivals  Theme parks  Higher education

“Although each county may have different restrictions, it is crucial that people stay home as much as possible, especially those at higher risk for severe illness to COVID-19. If you have to go out, stay 6 feet away from others who are not in your household and wear a face covering over your nose and mouth. If we do this, we will have more freedom to go out and appreciate the areas which have reopened. This is what we need to do to keep Calaveras County safe and healthy,” said Dr. Kelaita.

People interested in getting tested for COVID-19 can go to the OptumServe COVID-19 testing site located at the Calaveras County Fairgrounds. The testing site is open Tuesday-Saturday from 7:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. Testing is available to those age 12 and older. Walk-ins are welcome but people are highly encouraged to register online by going to www.lhi.care/covidtesting. People without internet access should call (888) 634-1123. No-cost testing is available to anyone who would like to get one.

For more information visit https://covid19.calaverasgov.us/. Call the Community Service Call Center at (209) 754-2896 if you have questions about the COVID-19 pandemic.