Imperial County sends reopen request to Governor Newsom

EL Centro, Calif (KYMA, KECY) - The Imperial County Board of Supervisors is requesting that Gov. Gavin Newsom consider the County's advancement to Stage 2B of reopening.

Currently, Imperial County is operating in Stage 2A–Lower Risk. 

The Board says this approval would allow the ability to decide if they can reopen businesses closed due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic in a safe manner fitting with the county's situation.

This request was made after consulting the Imperial County Public Health Department, according to the Board.

The Board says Imperial County has followed all recommendations and guidelines to stop the spread, and say all benchmarks — with the exception of one — have been met.

Currently, the Board says the test positivity rate remains above the required 8% as set by Newsom.

In the letter, the Board addresses Newsom saying:

“Ours is unique in this state, as we are adjacent to two other counties within California that are following the state’s guidelines, and also bordered by another state and another country, with two different sets of guidelines and metrics, and that are in different stages of reopening.” 

The Board argues that Riverside and San Diego counties have both successfully transitioned into Stage 2B, adding that Yuma and Mexicali currently operate under fewer restrictions as well.