Legislature & Governor Newsom's COVID-19 Updates April 28, 2020

Good afternoon AEP members,

Below is an update from our office on the latest from the Governor and Legislature.

Regarding the Legislature, the Assembly will be returning for committee hearings on May 4 and the Senate is aiming to return on May 11.

On Tuesday, Governor Gavin Newsom provided another update regarding the six critical indicators that will be considered before modifying the statewide Stay-At-Home Order. The specific indicator he focused most of his briefing on was the ability for businesses, schools, and childcare facilities to support physical distancing. During his update, he provided a new four-stage “resilience roadmap” that will guide the state’s re-opening.

These new stages provided more details on how the state will take a phase-in approach to loosening the statewide order. The Governor highlighted that we are still in the first stage that mostly consists of planning, but that the state is moving towards stage two of re-opening lower risk workplaces. He noted that we are weeks, not months away from stage two. However, as it relates to a broader reopening in stages three and four, we are months, not weeks away.

The Governor said he will closely monitor hospitalizations, surge capacity, the supply of PPE, testing capacity, and contact tracing as we move into stage two. This transition will occur through a statewide modification to the Stay-At-Home Order. He did announce that during stage two, counties may choose to relax stricter local orders at their own pace. Also, once a statewide COVID-19 surveillance system is made possible through testing, further regional variations could be supported.

He also provided specific actions needed to get to stage two:

Government Actions

  • Policies that allow people to stay home when they’re sick
  • Guidance provided on how to reduce risk

Business Actions

  • Wage replacement so workers can stay home when sick
  • Implement adaptations to lower-risk workplaces NOW
  • Employees continue to work from home when possible

Individual Actions

  • Safety precautions – physical distancing, face coverings, etc.
  • Avoid all non-essential travel
  • Support and care for people who are high risk

The four stages are below:

Stage 1: Safety and Preparedness

  • Continue to build out testing, contact tracing, PPE, and hospital surge capacity.
  • Continue to make essential workplaces as safe as possible
  • Physical and workflow adaption
  • Essential workforce safety net
  • Make PPE more widely available
  • Individual behavior changes
  • Prepare sector-by-sector safety guidelines for expanded workforce

Stage 2: Lower Risk Workplaces

  • Gradually opening some lower risk workplaces with adaptations:
  • Retail (e.g. curbside pickup)
  • Manufacturing
  • Offices (when telework not possible)
  • Opening more public spaces

Expanded Workforce Safety Net: Wage replacement so workers can stay home when sick

Schools and Childcare Facilities with Adaptations:

  • Summer programs and next school year potentially starting sooner (July/August)
  • Childcare facilities to provide more care
  • Address learning gaps
  • Ensure students and staff are protected
  • Allow broader workforce to return to work

Stage 3: High Risk Workplaces

Opening higher risk environments with adaptations and limits on size of gatherings:

  • Personal Care (hair and nail salons, gyms)
  • Entertainment venues (movie theaters, sports without live audiences)
  • In-person religious services (churches, weddings)

Stage 4: End of Stay-At-Home Order

Re-open highest risk workplaces with all indicators satisfied once therapeutics have been developed:

  • Concerts
  • Convention Centers
  • Live audience sports

Please see the attachment to review California's full Pandemic Resilience Roadmap.

As California slowly begins to reopen, we hope you and your loved ones remain safe and healthy!

Respectfully,
AEP Legal & Legislative Review Committee

DOWNLOAD Update on California Pandemic Roadmap PDF