Gov. Gavin Newsom unveiled guidelines that California will use to decide the right time to lift restrictions meant to stem the spread of the coronavirus.
The “roadmap” released on Tuesday contains six “indicators” that the state will use to determine when to lift the stay-at-home order that has been credited with successfully curbing the number of COVID-19 cases.
Newsom said the plan, which contained no expected date for an economic reopening, “must be guided by science and data, and we must understand that things will look different than before.”
The Democrat also stressed that the relaxing of social distancing measures would be gradual.
“There is no light switch here. Think of it as a dimmer. It will toggle between less restrictive and more restrictive,” Newsom said.
The first step in the road map stipulates there must be enough testing available to confirm immediately when someone has the virus so that contact tracing can be conducted and the state can alert those who may be infected. After testing is easily accessible, the state wants to ensure that those who are at high risk for a fatal case of coronavirus, including the elderly and those with underlying conditions, have the ability to stay in isolation. The state government also wants to ensure that California hospitals can manage any surge that could come at a later date.
Newsom said the state must also have access to therapeutic drugs that can treat the symptoms of the virus after someone tests positive. While there is no proven drug treatment for the coronavirus, South Dakota is currently testing hydroxychloroquine, which is an anti-malaria drug that has shown anecdotal evidence of treating symptoms in COVID-19 patients.
After testing and therapeutics are readily available and hospitals and those in high-risk categories are prepared for the continued spread of the virus, the state said it must have guidelines for businesses and schools to remain socially distant while easing back into regular life.
The final indicator Newsom listed is for the state to maintain the ability to reinstitute stay-at-home orders if the virus flares up again once California begins to reopen.
California is coordinating its coronavirus strategy with the governors in Washington and Oregon in a similar fashion to what a coalition of Northeastern states have announced.
As of Tuesday, California had more than 24,000 confirmed cases of the coronavirus and 732 related deaths.
