State authorizes Orange County businesses to move to full Stage 2 reopening,
allowing dine-in restaurants, shopping malls, and in-store retail to reopen safely.
City launches new business reopening website (www.HBready.com/reopen)
which consolidates all official reopening guidance documentation
currently available and needed for businesses to reopen.
On Saturday, May 23, the State authorized Orange County’s plan to facilitate an accelerated reopening of Later Stage 2 businesses, including dine-in restaurants, shopping malls, and in-store retail, with proper safety protocols in place. This authorization follows the County’s attestation that it has met the State’s “readiness criteria” to transition from Early to Later Stage 2, further expanding the types of workplaces that may reopen. Orange County is currently the second most populous jurisdiction to enter Later Stage 2.
“This is an incredible step forward for Huntington Beach and all Orange County cities,” said Mayor Lyn Semeta. “Moving further into Stage 2 will provide the lifeline that so many in our restaurant and retail industries need to survive this pandemic. They are committed to reopening safely to protect all employees and patrons, and we encourage our community to show their support, as more businesses find their way in these new times.”
Effective immediately, the following Stage 2 workplaces may reopen, with modifications (see www.HBready.com/reopen for further details).
- Dine-in restaurants (bars and gaming areas are not permitted)
- Destination retail, including shopping malls and swap meets
- In-store retail, including but not limited to:
- Bookstores
- Jewelry stores
- Toy stores
- Clothing stores
- Shoe stores
- Home and furnishing stores
- Sporting goods stores
- Antique stores
- Music stores
- Florists
- Supply chains for the businesses above, in manufacturing, logistics and warehousing
- Select services, including car washes, pet grooming, and landscape gardening
- Office-based businesses (telework is still strongly encouraged)
- Outdoor museums, open gallery spaces, and other public spaces
- Childcare
- Schools with modifications
- All Stage 1 essential workplaces
Per the California Department of Public Health, all Stage 2 businesses must complete the following steps to safely modify their workplaces prior to reopening:
- Perform a detailed risk assessment and implement a site-specific protection plan
- Train employees on how to limit the spread of COVID-19, including how to screen themselves for symptoms and stay home if they have them
- Implement individual control measures and screenings
- Implement disinfecting protocols
- Implement physical distancing guidelines
Given the numerous conflicting reports that currently exist regarding business reopening regulations, Huntington Beach has launched a new business reopening website, which can be accessed at:
This new website provides all official industry-specific guidance documents and checklists that businesses need to reopen. In addition, the website outlines step-by-step instruction on how and when businesses are being authorized by the State and County to safely reopen.
Of note, based on current State guidelines, the following industries / businesses are NOT yet permitted to operate in Stage 2:
- Personal services such as hair salons, nail salons, tattoo parlors, gyms and fitness studios
- Live sporting events
- Indoor museums, kids museums and gallery spaces, zoos and libraries
- Community centers, including public pools, playgrounds, and picnic areas
- Limited-capacity religious services and cultural ceremonies
- Nightclubs
- Concert venues
- Live audience sports
- Festivals
- Theme parks
- Hotels/lodging for leisure and tourism – non-essential travel
- Higher Education
Link to Press Release PDF Here
