On Wednesday Los Angeles County Public Health released a five-stage phased approach to relaxing directives of the Safer at Home order, including reopening certain business, called the “Roadmap to Recovery.”

The county is currently in stage one, where we have been for the past several weeks, however they anticipate beginning stage two as soon as Friday. This would allow florists and some retailers to open with curbside pickup as well as opening car dealerships, golf courses and trails, with appropriate safeguards in place. Next week additional restrictions will be lifted to include more retailers, manufacturers, and other recreational facilities.

“Physical distancing and infection control protocols must be adhered to and cloth facing coverings must be worn,” the announcement read.

Public health officials want to make certain that they have the capacity to slow new infections and that those efforts will be effective. The department’s guidelines include: tracking hospital capacity to manage a surge in cases and people with serious illness; maintaining sufficient supply of PPE for all health care workers; reaching adequate testing capacity and testing supplies; achieve the capacity to do case and contact tracing.

The next three stages will include the slow reopening of higher-risk businesses like movie theaters, schools, colleges and universities, followed by conventions and spectator events. Each new stage of reopening will have mandatory safety protocols.

“Our hearts are with all of you who have lost loved ones to COVID-19. We are so sorry for your loss, and hope you find healing and peace at this very difficult time,” said Director of Public Health Barbara Ferrer, said. “Today we are sharing the County’s Roadmap to Recovery to ensure that as we reopen our businesses we do so in a way that is safe for employees and customers, continues to slow the spread of the virus, and does not result in increases in our death rate from COVID-19. I am so grateful to all of you have worked together to get us to a place where a slow, safe reopening is possible.”

“The City reopening date is dependent on the County’s orders not the Governor’s. The County’s orders are more restrictive than the state’s,” Claremont Public Information Officer Bevin Handel told the COURIER.

Claremont is prepared to open facilities and trails once the county gives permission or the original order expires, Ms. Handel said. The COURIER requested a detailed list of what would reopen in the first phase however the city won’t have that information until Friday morning. On Tuesday Ms. Handel said that, “Should the County indicate an opening date for trails this Friday we are ready to open the trails the next day.”

Since its first coronavirus update on March 4, health officials have reported 1,367 deaths and identified 28,644 positive cases across all areas of L.A. County. Ninety-two percent of people who died had underlying health conditions. As of Wednesday, a total of 5,142 people who tested positive for COVID-19 (19% of positive cases) have been hospitalized at some point during their illness.