RELATED: Everything we know about CA businesses opening and what comes next
In order to reopen, retail, manufacturing and warehouse businesses need to cap employee density at one person per 300 square feet of space.
All retail transactions with customers will have to occur outside. That means stores within an indoor mall, like Westfield Valley Fair for example, won't be able to reopen for pickup. Freestanding stores or those at outdoor malls (like Stanford Shopping Center or Santa Row) will be allowed to open for pickup.
[Ads /]
Car parades (a new celebration trend in the era of COVID-19) will also be allowed under the new stay-at-home orders. Outdoor museums, outdoor historical sites and public gardens will be allowed to reopen.
Why did Santa Clara County wait so long to announce reopening? It has to do with the virus' incubation period, County Health Officer Dr. Sara Cody said in a press conference Monday.
INTERACTIVE: What will restaurants, gyms, flights, stores will look like after COVID-19?
"Two weeks represents the longest likely incubation period of COVID-19 and we needed to see the effect the loosening of the order on May 4 would have," Dr. Cody said. On May 4, the county allowed for the reopening of some outdoor businesses (like plant nurseries) and for construction work to resume.
Santa Clara Co. finally moving into Phase 2
Over the past two weeks, Dr. Cody says the county has seen a promising reduction in new coronavirus cases.
"Remember that Santa Clara County started with more cases than any county in the state. And as of now we have just 3% of the cases and 4% of the death statewide," she said.
"The truth is that the conditions on the ground have not changed. We have a population that is susceptible to COVID-19 and we don't have a vaccine. And that's one of the reasons why we've been proceeding very slowly and very cautiously."
RELATED: Here's what it will take to reopen the Bay Area
The announcement first came Monday morning in a joint press release from the several Bay Area counties that have been working together on their coronavirus response and shelter-in-place orders: Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, San Francisco and Santa Clara counties (plus the city of Berkeley, which has its own public health department).
Despite the eased restrictions, public health leaders are still asking residents of all the affected jurisdictions to stay at home as much as possible and wear face coverings when they are outside their residence.
If you have a question or comment about the coronavirus pandemic, submit yours via the form below or here.
Get the latest news, information and videos about the novel coronavirus pandemic here
[Ads /]
RELATED STORIES & VIDEOS:
- COVID-19 Help: Comprehensive list of resources, information
- When will the San Francisco Bay Area reopen? Track progress on 6 key metrics to reopening here
- Life after COVID-19: Here's what restaurants, gyms will look like
- Live updates about coronavirus outbreak in US, around the world
- INTERACTIVE TIMELINE: How close was CA to becoming a NY-level crisis?
- What will it take to get a COVID-19 vaccine and how will it be made?
- How California's COVID-19 cases stack up against other hot spot states
- Everything you need to know about the Bay Area's shelter-in-place order
- Coronavirus Timeline: Tracking major moments of COVID-19 pandemic in San Francisco Bay Area/
- List: Where can I get tested for COVID-19 in the Bay Area?
- COVID-19 Diaries: Personal stories of Bay Area residents during novel coronavirus pandemic
- Coronavirus Doctor's Note: Dr. Alok Patel gives his insight into COVID-19 pandemic
- What does COVID-19 do to your body and why does it spread so easily?
- WATCH: 'Race & Coronavirus: A Bay Area Conversation' virtual town hall about COVID-19 impact on Asian American community
- WATCH: 'Race & Coronavirus: A Bay Area Conversation' virtual town hall about COVID-19 impact on African American community
- WATCH: 'Race & Coronavirus: A Bay Area Conversation' virtual town hall about COVID-19 impact on Latino community
- Here's how shelter in place, stay at home orders can slow spread of COVID-19
- Symptoms, prevention, and how to prepare for a COVID-19 outbreak in the US
- List of stores, companies closing due to coronavirus pandemic
- No masks but here are 100+ products that may help protect you against novel coronavirus germs
- Here's a look at some of history's worst pandemics that have killed millions
[Ads /]