​PUBLIC HEALTH OFFICER CLARIFIES PROCESS FOR REOPENING ADDITIONAL BUSINESS

(PLACERVILLE, CA) – The following statement can be attributed to El Dorado County Public Health Officer, Dr. Nancy Williams regarding the reopening of various sectors of industry in El Dorado County:

"The Board of Supervisors yesterday expressed its support for my plan to expand permission to resume activities as specified in my Stage 2 attestation to apply to all industry sectors as soon as the State issues those industries' specific guidelines, even if they originally fell into a later stage.  

"Last week, the Governor indicated that approval from local public health officers is necessary for any business to reopen in addition to the State's release of specific industry guidelines. This caused confusion among public health officers, elected officials and the general public.

"My direction expressed to and supported by the Board today 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.

"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.

"I sincerely hope this clarifies the confusion about the conditions under which a business may open."

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