Retail places starting to open in Porterville State offers guidelines on openings, protests
Retail is starting to come back to Main Street.
Retail stores that have been unable to open for more than two months are now providing instore service in Porterville thanks to Governor Newsom’s announcement on Monday that retail stores could open.
Steve’s Drapery was one of the places that was previously closed that opened on Main Street on Tuesday. Steve’s Drapery owner Glenn Stephenson said he’s already noticed a difference on Main Street. “There’s more traffic,” he said.
When asked if it was nice to be open again, Stephenson said, “Yes, glad to be back.”
Stephenson did say he’s been able to do business through phone orders, the internet and email. “We have quite a lot going on right now,” he said.
But added it was still nice to be back in his store. “Headed to normal,” he said. “It’s not normal yet, but headed there which is nice.”
Another store on Main that was able to open on Tuesday that was previously closed was Jalisco Jewelers.
Retail stores, including chain stores offering such items as clothing and jewelry, have again opened in Porterville.
The state issued guidelines on Monday allowing for retail stores to open in every county in the state. The guidelines don’t require but “strongly” recommend employee screenings, face coverings and social distancing.
Griselda Sandoval, a salesperson at Jalisco, was wearing her mask on Tuesday and added customers will be strongly urged to wear masks when they come into the store.
She added if necessary the number of customers in the store will be limited to maintain social distancing. “We’re definitely going to be limiting people,” Sandoval said.
Tulare County Public Health Officials also issued a statement earlier this month urging all public places to urge the use of face coverings for everyone in their stores and to post signage stat
ing the use of face coverings is required.
The state guidelines on Monday also state: Retailers must take reasonable measures, including posting signage in strategic and highly-visible locations,to remind the public that they should use face coverings and practice physical distancing.”
The retail guidelines for in-store shopping were already allowed in some counties, but guidelines allowing retail stores to open were issued for the entire state on Monday.
The state also issued guidelines for protests that have been happening calling for a a faster reopening of businesses.
The state’s guidelines call for the size of protests to be limited to
25 percent of the areas maximum capacity or to 100 people — whichever is lowest.
In addition the state has cleared the way for salons and barber shops to open in 47 counties, but Tulare County is one of the 11 counties that still don’t meet the requirements for salons and barber shops to open.
However, the Tulare County Board of Supervisors voted last week in a 3-2 vote to essentially allow businesses such as salons and barber shops to open. The Porterville City Council, though, in a 5-0 vote, voted to go against the county and to adhere to the state guidelines.
It should also be noted any businesses that rely on a state license that choose to open risk losing that state license.
The guidelines for hair salons and barber shops to open require
all employees and customers to wear face coverings. Nail salons are still not allowed to open under state guidelines.
When it comes to churches, state guidelines now also allow for in-person services but only at 25 percent of capacity or 100 people — whichever is lowest. There are also other numerous limitations to in-person worship services under the state guidelines.
For the state guidelines on retail stores visit: https://covid19. ca.gov/pdf/guidanceretail.pdf
For the state guidelines on visiting churches visit: https:// covid19.ca.gov/pdf/ guidance-places-ofworship.pdf
For the state guidelines on opening salons and barbershops visit: https://covid19.ca.gov/ pdf/guidance-hair-salons.pdf