The Kern County Board of Supervisors approved an attestation Tuesday to apply for state approval to move forward with phase two of reopening. If the state approves the attestation, businesses and restaurants could resume in-store and dine-in options as early as this weekend.
According to a report from the County Administrative Office presented at the Board of Supervisors meeting Tuesday afternoon, the CAO reported the county meets the new criteria for reopening after Gov. Gavin Newsom's announcement Monday.
The CAO reported that over the past seven days, the county has performed 3,552 tests with 218 positive results. These results show a positive test rate of 6.14%, meeting the governors criteria of having a positive test rate of less than 8%.
The CAO also reported that Kern County is at a stable number of patients hospitalized for COVID-19. Our seven-day-average of daily percent change in hospitalizations has been on a decrease of negative .83%, meeting another one of the governor's criteria.
#KernCounty’s attestation to begin moving more quickly through Stage 2 of the Governors reopening plan is approved by the Board of Supervisors, and is being sent to State public health officials this afternoon.
— Ryan J. Alsop (@KernCAO) May 19, 2020
According to county officials, the state typically takes one to three business days to approve attestations. Restaurants and retailers would have to abide by Public Health guidance in-order to conduct business inside.
This is a developing story.
