Bars, gyms and reception-less weddings: Yolo County to start Phase 3 reopening Friday
Yolo County will allow a slate of businesses and activities to resume starting Friday as it and the rest of the Sacramento region enter Phase 3 of reopening from the coronavirus pandemic, the county officially announced in a news release Thursday morning.
Gov. Gavin Newsom and the state last week announced the 50-plus counties that had their reopening “variance” plans approved would as of this Friday be permitted to reopen many — but not all — businesses, venues and gatherings within Phase 3 of his administration’s four-phase plan, all under guidelines that include measures to ensure social distancing and/or use of masks.
Phase 3 activities are considered to carry a higher risk for transmission of the virus, which causes the disease COVID-19.
In addition to bars, wineries, movie theaters, zoos, museums, gyms and hotels, Yolo County will permit the reopening of public swimming pools.
It’ll also allow wedding ceremonies to be held — but hold onto that cake, because wedding receptions are not allowed.
Yolo continues to be one of few California counties that has mandated the use of face coverings in public, with a few exceptions such as while walking, hiking or otherwise exercising outdoors.
Here is the full list of businesses and activities that Yolo County says may resume, so long as they comply with all state and county requirements, adhere to the mask order and comply with “strict social distancing protocols”:
▪ Schools (further details regarding school re-openings will be provided by schools or school districts at a later date)
▪ Day camps
▪ Music, film and TV production
▪ Professional sports (without live audiences)
▪ Movie theaters and family entertainment centers
▪ Bars and wineries
▪ Zoos, museums, galleries and aquariums
▪ Gyms and fitness facilities
▪ Hotels (for tourism and individual travel)
▪ Card rooms and racetracks
▪ Campgrounds and outdoor recreation
▪ Public swimming pools (saunas, spas and hot tubs should remain closed)
▪ Wedding ceremonies (no reception)
Businesses still closed under statewide restrictions include nail salons, nightclubs, playgrounds, libraries, concert venues, theme parks, higher education and live theater.
“As these activities reopen, the public is responsible for adhering to the rules or guidelines that are set by these entities as well as practicing social distancing and wearing a face covering,” the county said in a statement. “Everyone has a role to play in keeping our communities safe and healthy. Older adults and individuals with underlying medical conditions should continue to stay at home as much as possible except for accessing essential services and activities.”
The reopenings come despite a surge of new cases and hospitalizations within the greater Sacramento area, though Yolo County officials have not reported the sharp increases in these metrics that counties such as Placer and Sacramento have reported in recent weeks.
As of Wednesday afternoon, Yolo County public health officials have reported an all-time total of 227 lab-positive cases of COVID-19 and 24 deaths, 17 of which have come at Stollwood Convalescent Hospital in Woodland.
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