Supervisors approve resolution for the governor demanding clarity on COVID-19 response

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. — Tuesday morning the Kern County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a resolution asking the governor for clarity when it comes to dealing with COVID-19.

"Kern County demands that Governor Newsom not penalize counties for not achieving new state goals and objectives that have very little to do with flattening the curve and maintaining hospital capacity," said Chief Administrative Officer Ryan Alsop. "Kern County demands that Governor Newsom not continue to burden California's small business community, our parents and our children by linking business and school reopening to any requirements not outlined in his original blueprint from august 2020."

During last week's board meeting, Alsop and supervisors expressed frustrations with additional requirements to allow the county to move down in the state's tier system. Kern County is currently in the highest tier. Supervisors will ask for better guidance to keep the public safe while allowing for the reopening of businesses.

Governor Gavin Newsom addressed the state Monday speaking on the COVID-19 metrics and those guidelines that have previously been set.

Kern County has met the state's metrics in order to move tiers but the state changed the required case rate number for the county because our testing numbers are below the state average.

On Monday Newsom stated that California is not retreating from our testing responsibilities.

“The sooner we are able to move forward to increase the availability and the timeliness of tests here in the state of California, we will have more clarity and more assurance in our capacity to move more swiftly to not only reopen different sectors of our economy more fully, but also reopen our schools in a more sustainable way."

At last check, the state has not updated the tier system since last week, leaving Kern County in the widespread Purple Tier.