PRESS RELEASE
CITY OF BENICIA
City Hall
250 East L Street
Benicia, California 94510

Contact: Lorie Tinfow, City Manager
ltinfow@ci.benicia.ca.us

CITY OF BENICIA UPDATE ON COVID-19
FOR MAY 11, 2020
Solano County Amends Shelter at Home Order to
Allow More Outdoor Activities and
Protocols for Reopening Low-Risk Businesses

Benicia, CA (May 11, 2020) – On Thursday, May 7, 2020, the Solano County Public Health Official amended the shelter-at-home order to allow some additional outdoor activities and low-risk businesses in Solano County to reopen subject to specific social distancing practices. In accordance with the order, the City of Benicia reopened the Phenix Dog Park, the skate park and the tennis courts at Civic Center Park. The tennis courts are reopened with posted restrictions that allow for singles only, no spectators, and no switching ends. A complete list of restrictions is posted at the courts. The reopening of facilities is subject to change as conditions evolve. Playgrounds, picnic areas, basketball courts and the James Lemos Swim Center remain closed at this time.

The amended order permits “low risk” businesses to reopen as described in Solano County’s Roadmap to Recovery, and includes requirements that must be met in order to reopen such as posting social distancing protocols at the entrance to the business. A sample social distance protocol is located in Appendix B of the order.

The sample social distance protocol found in Appendix B provides a check list to be posted at the entrance of businesses that acknowledges that protocols have been met in the following categories: signage, measures to protect employee health, measures to prevent crowds from gathering, measures to keep people at least six feet apart, measures to prevent unnecessary contact, measures to increase sanitation and measures to ensure compliance to protocol. Under the order, businesses classified as low-risk are allowed to reopen if they meet and continue to meet the social distance protocols that comply with the requirements listed in Exhibit B of the order.

A Solano County Business Reopenings Guide is available at www.beniciabusiness.com/covid-19-resources along with the latest updates for Benicia businesses. A version of Appendix B that can be edited and posted by business owners is available at http://www.solanocounty.com/depts/ph/coronavirus_links/roadmap_to_recovery.asp.

For any questions about the amended order, Solano County has a warm line to answer questions about COVID-19, including questions about whether a business or activity is considered essential or may reopen. Call 707.784.8988 or email covid19@solanocounty.com, Monday-Friday, 7 a.m. – 6 p.m.

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Attachments:
• Solano County Business Reopenings Guide
• Solano County Public Health Officer Order 2020-07 Exhibit B
• Solano County Public Health Officer Order 2020-07 Appendix B