San Mateo County gyms, hair salons and movie theaters could reopen by next weekend, if the county gets permission from the state.
Keeping people healthy through COVID-19 testing and measures that slow the spread of the novel coronavirus is the top priority.
"We have to protect public health, number one," San Mateo County Supervisor David Canepa said. "Number two, we have to look at the poverty this has inflicted throughout the state and the United States."
If the state gives San Mateo County the green light, the following businesses can be considered for reopening with specific guidelines in place:
- Dine-in restaurants
- Hair salons and barber shops
- Family entertainment centers
- Restaurants, wineries and bars
- Zoos and museums
- Gyms and fitness centers
- Hotels (for tourism and individual travel)
- Cardrooms
- Campgrounds and outdoor recreation
- Schools and day camps
"We hope that we will get approval by Monday, and then Thursday and Friday we can try to get back, as hard as this sounds, to a little bit of normalcy," Canepa said.
Canepa said social distancing measures and face covering protocols will continue to be in place. Public health officials could reassess the situation if they see a surge in COVID-19 cases.
Free COVID-19 testing continues in San Mateo County through the weekend into early next week at locations in Redwood City and San Mateo. San Mateo Superior Court resumes hearing jury trials Monday.
According to a county release, the number of individuals who have tested positive for COVID-19 has fallen to 2.3% during the past seven days.
