UPDATE:
FRESNO, CA – Fresno Mayor Lee Brand today announced the first major step in Fresno’s economic recovery, presenting the first phase of the new category of authorized businesses to re-open. The announcement was made after consultation with the Mayor’s Recovery Committee, City Manager Wilma Quan, her emergency team, Fresno City Council and the County of Fresno. This plan allowing for local control was created by virtue of Emergency Order 2020-16 which modified the City of Fresno’s shelter in place orders.
Effective Monday, May 11, 2020, the following types of businesses may physically open their doors for business:
- Auto, Truck, Boat, Motorcycle, RV and Mobile Home Sales
- New Construction
- Furniture Stores
- Electronics and Camera Stores
- Spa and Pool Stores
- Lawn and Garden Equipment Stores
- Building and Remodeling Supply Stores
- Auctions
All other retail business may conduct online sales with contactless curbside pick-up or delivery. There is no application process for these businesses to reopen.
Occupancy for authorized businesses is based on one customer per 500 square feet. Each authorized business will be required to comply with the City’s Modified Appendix A: Social Distancing Protocol to protect the health of their employees and to protect the health of the vendors and customers who visit and shop there. Some businesses will have additional requirements that include special sanitation and cleaning protocols.
“This is a big, bold first step in restoring Fresno’s economy and gives us much-needed local control, with the collaboration of our partners at the County and State level, while still protecting the health and safety of our community to the best of our abilities,” said Mayor Brand. “This is the right decision for Fresno at this stage of the pandemic, and I’m thankful to have the assistance of many very smart, caring and dedicated people who want the best for everyone in terms of public health and economic security.”
The City of Fresno will continue to monitor public health indicators in the community and adjust the Authorized Business program as necessary. If there is a spike in the number of infections that could be traced to the re-opening or if our local healthcare system is projected to reach capacity, the City may choose to slow down or even roll back the program. If public health indicators stay flat or improve, the City could accelerate this program.
Mayor Brand added, “As soon as the State gives us the green light to open restaurant dining rooms, gyms, hair and nail salons and other close-contact businesses, then I will devote the resources of the City to get those very deserving and hard-working people back to work.”
For the latest information on all City-issued emergency orders and other coronavirus-related decisions, call 3-1-1 or visit the City of Fresno website at www.fresno.gov.
We encourage you to visit www.cdc.gov to learn more about COVID-19 nationally, https://covid19.ca.gov/ for information on coronavirus in California and to follow the Fresno County Department of Public Health website for regular updates.
Click to listen to the report by KMJ’s Liz Kern
FRESNO, CA (KMJ) — Fresno Mayor Lee Brand is holding a news conference on Tuesday to announce the first major step in Fresno’s economic recovery.
Mayor Brand will provide details of the first phase of “authorized businesses” that will be allowed to reopen.
The news conference will take place at Fresno City Hall at 5:00 p.m.
The event will be broadcast via Facebook Live on the City’s Facebook page as well as through the Community Media Access Collaborative (CMAC) on cable channels 96 on Comcast and 99 on AT&T U-verse.
In addition to Mayor Brand, Mayor, Mayor-elect Jerry Dyer, and Council President Miguel Arias will also be there.
