Los Angeles County leaders discussed guidelines for the start of the reopening process for the county during their regular update Thursday, with officials “cautiously optimistic” going forward.

Supervisor Hilda Solis began Thursday’s press conference by talking about the start of the reopening process on Friday, May 8, when certain businesses and trails are expected to open.

“We’re able to do this because of the progress that each and every one of you has made by doing your part,” Solis said. “I’m cautiously optimistic, but we can’t move too quickly. Simply put, the virus does not get any less dangerous during this time that we’re staying at home, so we must be careful and we need to be deliberate.”

County trails and certain businesses, such as golf courses, florists, and car dealers, as well as stores that sell toys, books, clothing, sporting goods and music are expected to be allowed to reopen on Friday with curbside pickup, according to the supervisor.

Solis noted while these businesses are open, physical distancing and face coverings are still required.

“We hope our businesses can step up to the challenge,” she said.

Each sector is expected to have a safe reopening protocols that address the following areas of concern:

Protecting and supporting worker health and safety
• Limit in-person work and ensure that vulnerable workers have alternative
assignments
• Supply and require use of face coverings and personal protective equipment
• Develop policies that enable employees to stay at home when they are sick

Ensuring appropriate physical distancing
• Limit occupancy in accordance with Safe Reopening protocols
• Ensure six-foot distance between individuals as much as possible
• Manage employees’ schedules to enable physical distancing

Ensuring proper infection control
• Follow strict cleaning and sanitation standards
• Frequently clean high-touch surfaces

Communicating with the public
• Post clear signage to communicate protocols to visitors

The Friday reopening marks the County moving into phase two of reopening, with the first phase being the current “Safer at Home” order.

In the coming weeks, the County is expected to allow “higher-risk” businesses to reopen, which have more contact with customers, in the third phase.

In this third phase, hair and nail salons, gyms, tattoo parlors, bars, movie theatres and bowling alleys, as well as schools and colleges are expected to be allowed to reopen.

The next phase before a full reopen, phase four, would allow the reopening of the “highest risk” businesses, such as large conventions, sporting and concert venues.

A timeline for phases three and four have not been set as of Thursday.

An additional 815 COVID-19 cases were reported Thursday. The County total of COVID-19 cases now stands at 29,427, according to the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (LADPH) Director Dr. Barbara Ferrer.

Approximately 200,007  coronavirus tests have been conducted so far as of Thursday, with 12 percent positive, according to public health officials.

1,826 people who tested positive for COVID-19 have been hospitalized at some point during their illness, accounting for roughly 19 percent of all positive cases within Los Angeles County. Of those, 16 percent are currently in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), while another 16 percent are on ventilators.

51 deaths have been reported Thursday, bringing the total of COVID-19-related deaths to 1,418 in Los Angeles County, according to Ferrer.

92 percent of all deaths in the county had underlying health conditions, according to Ferrer, further encouraging those with medical issues to stay home, if possible.

See Related: Henry Mayo Officials Discuss Reopening Of Los Angeles County

As of Wednesday afternoon, a total of 631 cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed in the Santa Clarita Valley. These include:

• 450 in the City of Santa Clarita
• 22 in Castaic
• 19 in Stevenson Ranch
• 27 in the unincorporated areas of Canyon Country
• Three  in the unincorporated areas of Saugus
• 105 in the unincorporated areas of Val Verde
• Five in the unincorporated areas of Valencia

No cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed in the unincorporated areas of Newhall as of Wednesday afternoon.

The next update on the number of cases in the Santa Clarita Valley is expected Thursday afternoon.

See All Coronavirus Coverage Here: Coronavirus Coverage – COVID-19 Map

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