Officials in a Southern California town said they will stop enforcing the state’s restrictions meant to curb the spread of the coronavirus.
The city of Big Bear Lake, California, told businesses they can reopen at their own risk, with the understanding that state officials may still enforce health restrictions, according to KFI 640 AM Los Angeles.
“The City Council continues to have serious concerns about the Governor’s approach, and is deeply concerned for the future of Big Bear Lake,” city officials wrote on Thursday. “The City has no legal responsibility to enforce the Governor’s restrictions, and is hereby referring all Big Bear Lake businesses to the Governor’s Resilience Roadmap.”
“Businesses and residents should take responsibility for their own actions, should thoughtfully consider the Governor’s orders and the risks associated with their specific circumstances (including health, legal, financial, and licensing), and act accordingly,” they said.
City officials added that they reached out to Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office to request the ability to implement their own reopening plan but did not yet receive a response.
The city of Pasadena, located about 90 miles from Big Bear Lake, filed a similar request this week and was denied by the state.
Cities and counties all across California have begun pushing back against the lockdown restrictions, which they argue are no longer necessary following the governor’s announcement in mid-April that the infection curve has been “arguably flattened.”
The Northern California counties of Yuba, Sutter, and Modoc have begun reopening in defiance of the stay-at-home order. In Placer County, officials threatened legal action against Newsom if he does not loosen up restrictions more quickly.
Newsom has allowed some counties to begin the reopening process but has implemented benchmarks that many counties feel are unnecessary or unattainable.
