The City of Fullerton is actively preparing for the eventual re-opening of its businesses and public services and will be following the Governor’s recently announced Resilience Roadmap Stages that emphasizes safety and preparedness as we collaboratively work towards the end of the State’s Stay-at-Home order.
The City is finalizing re-opening plans for City services, including limited public access to City Hall and the Fullerton Public Library, all of which will be based on ensuring social distancing and public health and safety to employees and visitors. The City is also readying guidance that is consistent across all cities in Orange County based on the State’s plan to move from the current Stage 1 to Stage 2, which allows for lower-risk business sectors to re-open with adequate health protocols in place.
“Opening our businesses to revitalize the economy and get our residents back to work is our top priority,” stated Mayor Jennifer Fitzgerald. “Doing so in a manner that is guided by public health directives and is consistent across cities in the County is key to ensuring we do this right and do it once, so we do not put our communities at risk in the future.”
The Governor’s roadmap, divided into four stages, will see the re-opening of lower risk workplaces with adaptations for enhanced sanitization and social distancing practices. Workplaces in Stage 2 include retail establishments, manufacturing, professional offices, and various public spaces. Additionally included in Stage 2 are schools and childcare facilities which will ensure student safety and allow a broader segment of the workforce to return to work.
Key to moving from Stage 1 to Stage 2 is clear and consistent guidance on how to reduce risk in all workplaces and public settings as well as a higher level of care and support for people who are high risk, including seniors and medically fragile individuals.
On Tuesday, April 28th, the County of Orange Board of Supervisors released business guidelines which, while the stated intent was to guide businesses after they can open, has led to confusion as to whether non-essential businesses are allowed to open now. The answer is no. Non-essential
businesses are not allowed to open up at this time; however, the efforts being taken by cities under the State guidance are quickly bringing that goal to a closer reality. “The cities in Orange County will work together to help guide our businesses through the end of this ordeal to so we can quickly return to a vibrant and economically prosperous county,” stated Ken Domer, City Manager. “98% of businesses in Orange County are located in cities and we want to make sure we do what is right for them, their employees, customers, and our residents.”