California governor lifts ban on selected surgeries

Only "important medical procedures" allowed

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) - Governor Gavin Newsom says all the measures Californians have taken to curb the spread of coronvirus are working. That's why he's comfortable taking the first step towards re-opening the state.

Newsom announced Wednesday, he'll allow patients to schedule surgeries cancelled or postponed at the onset of the pandemic.

"These are not plastic surgeries, these are not surgeries that are cosmetic, these are important medical procedures that if not attended to can ultimately become crisis and burden the rest of the healthcare system so that's the first significant effort to begin, to modify that stay at home order." said the Governor.

Newsom encouraged residents to stay the course.

"We have flattened the curve, we have created stability, it has allowed us this first announcement. Continue to practice physical distancing and we will be making announcements sooner than we otherwise would. If we pull back too soon, those announcements will not be forthcoming. If we stay the course, those announcements will be forthcoming and will do justice to the incredible work all of you have done."

Governor Newsom also announced 86 new testing sites will be placed in underserved and fragile communities throughout the state.

So far, coronavirus has killed more than 1,400 Californians.

[Related Story: California Coronavirus Cases]