Supervisor Kathryn Barger announced the Los Angeles County has achieved necessary readiness criteria and is set to apply for a variance with the State of California Wednesday. 

It was announced Tuesday evening the Los Angeles County, Santa Clarita included, has achieved readiness criteria to apply for a variance to match the reopened status of other counties in California.

“Los Angeles County has dedicated critical resources to meet the benchmark criteria to support our efforts to reopen, including ensuring adequate hospital capacity, increasing access and availability of testing and contact tracing, and implementing protections for vulnerable populations,” Barger said. “Regional data shows we have flattened the curve, indicating our readiness to move forward in phased recovery. This will put Los Angeles County on a level playing field with surrounding counties, which have already been granted variances.”

If granted, the variance from the State public health order will allow Los Angeles County to advance further in Stage 2 and into Stage 3 of the State’s Roadmap to Recovery.

“Today she was a champion for all of L.A. County,” said Santa Clarita Mayor Cameron Smyth.

The Santa Clarita City Council lauded Supervisor Kathryn Barger for her work in moving Los Angeles County toward Stage 3 reopening in the statewide “Safer at Home” order.

In addition, L.A. County is set to align with the Public Health Orders issued by the State to ensure consistency as the region progresses in reopening.

“Aligning Los Angeles County’s health orders with the State’s is going to provide immediate relief to our communities,” Barger said. “This important step will give our residents and businesses clarity as we continue to take positive steps toward reopening Los Angeles County.”

These actions follow a series of phased reopening throughout Los Angeles County, including curbside retail, beaches, parks, trails and other open space.

The County is moving toward additional phases in Stage 2 and into Stage 3 and is set to announce the immediate reopening of in-person shopping and houses of worship, and await the State’s clearance for reopening in-person dining and personal care, hair salons and barbershops.

“I fully support these efforts in our expediency to reopen businesses, reunite loved ones, and revitalize our neighborhoods,” Barger said.

The updated Health Officer Order, to be issued Tuesday by the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, is part of a phased progression guiding the safe resumption of public life in Los Angeles County, including the recent reopening of beach bike paths and permission for car parades honoring graduates.

The change also sets the stage for the County to request a variance from the state to permit swifter reopening of some sectors.

Examples of activities permitted under the changes enacted Tuesday:

• Faith-based organizations may resume services, with the number of congregants limited to less than 25 percent of the building’s capacity, or a maximum of 100 people, whichever is lower
• All retail, including those located in indoor and outdoor retail shopping centers may now open for business at 50 percent capacity
• Flea markets, swap meets and drive-in movie theaters may resume operations
• Pools, hot tubs and saunas that are in a multi-unit residence or part of a homeowners association may now open

The Health Officer Order also provides guidelines for public protests. In-person protests are permitted as long as attendance is limited to 25% of the area’s maximum occupancy, or a maximum of 100 attendees, whichever is lower.

The order emphasizes that physical distancing requirements, cloth face coverings and other safety protocols must be observed as the recovery progresses.

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