YUBA-SUTTER COUNTIES, CA (MPG) - Starting Friday, June 12, more businesses are permitted to re-open with appropriate precautions under new guidance from the California Department of Public Health. Yuba-Sutter Health Officer Dr. Phuong Luu issued an amended Public Health Order to align with the State, and so residents can see, in one place, all the businesses that are permitted to operate at this point.

“With proper COVID-19 protocols in place to ensure the safety of patrons and staff, I am confident we can safely reopen more sectors within the community,” Dr. Luu said. “That said, without a vaccine, COVID-19 is still here and an ongoing threat. We all must follow the proper tenets of social distancing, wearing facial coverings, practicing good hand hygiene, and staying home when sick, in order to minimize spread of the virus- especially to those who are most vulnerable to more severe symptoms.”

The sectors permitted to reopen last Friday include bars/wineries, family entertainment centers like bowling alleys and arcades, gyms/fitness centers, hotels, and zoos/indoor museums. The State of California has not yet permitted the reopening of nail salons, tattoo shops, live performance theaters, theme parks and festivals. In-person K-12 schooling in Yuba-Sutter is permitted to begin at the start of the new school year, in mid-August.

New cases are increasing but fall within two distinct themes: among family/household clusters, and within previous “essential” workplaces that have remained open throughout the pandemic. Hospitalizations also fall within two prominent categories: people who delayed testing, and those who already tested positive but delayed seeking care because of their uninsured status.

Residents should know that insurance should not be a barrier to seeking care for COVID-19, especially if symptoms worsen. Businesses that reopen, especially those that have remained open throughout the past three months, should adhere to the protocols in place including temperature checks and symptoms screening of employees, maintaining social distancing and adhering to facial coverings when social distancing is not possible.

As Yuba-Sutter reopens, it’s important to choose activities that are lower-risk, and practice behaviors that are safer. We can keep each other healthy and safe by all doing our part to minimize transmission of the virus, especially to those at highest risk. For information on testing, food and shelter resources, and documents in Spanish and Punjabi, visit BePreparedYuba.org or BePreparedSutter.org.