As the conversation centering on reopening California’s economy continues to unfold, the County of Fresno is looking to make a move of its own.
It’s first step: pushing the City of Fresno to drop its shelter-in-place order.
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Citing the changing landscape, beginning with Gov. Gavin Newsom’s Monday press conference to reopen the state’s economy, Fresno County officials publicly demanded what they sought privately for more than a week: ditch a local shelter-in-place order and loosen restrictions on Fresno residents.
Friday, Fresno Mayor Lee Brand extended the shelter-in-place order to May 31, surprising members of the Fresno City Council and his own coronavirus economic recovery committee over its length.
Ahead of his announcement, County leaders lobbied for the City of Fresno to adopt the County’s current operative health orders on coronavirus, which would provide for loosened enforcement on individuals and businesses.
“The County of Fresno maintains that the statewide order provides adequate protective measures and flexibility to protect the health and safety of our region without the need for additional orders at the local level,” a statement from County leaders reads.
Fresno County Board of Supervisors chairman Buddy Mendes said that a combination of state guidance and local data “have positioned Fresno County to begin a phased process of reopening our economy and getting back. to a state of normalcy.”
“We hope the City of Fresno will consider cancelling its stay-at-home order so that we may all move forward in this recovery together,” he said.
A County statement noted that the local Department of Public Health is “developing guidance aimed to help businesses reopen with a focus on measures to mitigate the spread of COVID-19”
This story will be updated.
