UPDATE (May 30): Monterey County’s Variance Attestation form was approved by the state Saturday, allowing the county to advance into expanded Stage 2.
MONTEREY COUNTY — Monterey County Health Officer Dr. Edward Moreno has issued a new health order to continue the county’s shelter-in-place directive, which was set to expire May 31.
The new order aligns with California’s stay-at-home order to move the state into Stage 2 and eventually through Stages 3 and 4 of the reopening process.
The California Department of Public Health is currently reviewing the county’s Covid-19 Variance Attestation form, and once its posted online, additional businesses affected by the attestation will be allowed to open. This includes dine-in restaurants as well as hair salons and barber shops, all with modifications.
According to Moreno, these businesses must establish a written, worksite-specific Covid-19 prevention plan; provide employee training; screen for symptoms of Covid-19; implement cleaning and disinfecting protocols; and maintain physical distancing measures.
Until the attestation is posted, however, the county’s May 1 and May 8 Shelter-in-Place Orders remain in effect, Moreno said.
Friday’s announcement comes as two more deaths related to Covid-19 were reported by the Monterey County Health Department, bringing the total number of deaths countywide to 10.
The county’s latest report shows a total of 477 residents who have tested positive for the virus, while 306 of those cases have recovered.
