What to know about California’s predicted reopening
Imperial County to align with state guidelines - News 11's Wiley Jawhary reports
IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) - Imperial County residents mark your calendar for June 15th. That's the day county leaders, and the entire state of California, plan to lift most coronavirus-related restrictions.
The Imperial County Public Health Department (ICPHD) made the announcement Tuesday morning during the weekly Board of Supervisors meeting. Health Director Dr. Stephen Munday told supervisors the state is pushing to reopen the economy.
Dr. Munday says the state, and Imperial County, plans to ease mask and social distancing requirements.
The change will apply to most businesses and activities. Large indoor events however will still face some limitations.
"Events determined to have more than 5,000 people in that case there will be requirements like masking distancing and vaccination status,” Munday said.
The fully vaccinated are free to go mask-free and reduce their distancing when outdoors. Those who don't have their shots still have to mask up and back off.
"They are going to voluntarily supply anybody who is not vaccinated with a respirator, they are not required to wear it but they are required to have it offered to them," he said.
Meanwhile healthcare workers have administered over 164,000 vaccines in Imperial County including first and second doses, they expect this upward trend to continue.
“We’ve done reminder calls for those that may have missed their second dose, over two thousand two hundred calls have been conducted," says Imperial County Public Health Department Director Janette Angulo.
Those calls are to remind individuals to get their second dose to ensure the vaccine's efficiency.
Clinics continue to be seen around the county and the goal is for the county to be ready by the time the state looks to reopen.
Dr. Munday says the new blueprint that the state is working on will be based on recommendations instead of mandates.
“Really what they’re doing is focusing on more traditional public health which is guidance as opposed to mandates," Dr. Munday said.
Dr. Munday expects the local health order in Imperial County to match what the California Department of Public Health releases in the coming weeks.
