Merced County logoState health officials have issued new industry-specific guidelines that will allow additional business to reopen under Stage 2.5 of the Statewide Resilience Roadmap. All guidance will be effective as of June 12, 2020. Merced County will release an updated Stay-at-Home Order on June 12, 2020, to provide direction and clarification of which businesses are approved to safely reopen.

Before reopening, all businesses must:

  1. Perform a detailed risk assessment and implement a site-specific protection plan.
  2. 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.
  3. Implement individual control measures and screenings.
  4. Implement disinfecting protocols.
  5. Implement physical distancing guidelines.

Industry-specific guidelines were released for the following sectors: gyms and fitness centers, wineries and bars, family entertainment centers, schools, day camps, music, film, and television productions. Refer to the attached flyer for the businesses allowed to reopen under Stage 2.5 in Merced County.

To view the industry-specific guidelines, visit the State’s COVID-19 website. To obtain information on tools to help businesses reopen safely, visit Merced County’s reopening website.

If an outbreak or cluster of three or more COVID-19 cases occurs in a local business, the Merced County Department of Public Health will be required to publicly report that information in order to identify other people who may have been exposed. In order for Merced County to continue to remain open, business owners and their customers are strongly encouraged to follow preventive safety measures to help avoid an increase in cases.

For additional information pertaining to COVID-19, please visit the Department’s resource website or call the Department information line at 209-381-1180 (English, Spanish, Hmong).

To schedule an interview, please contact the Department of Public Health’s media line at 209-381-1187, Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.