Gov. Newsom approves Orange County's request for Phase 2 reopening

ORANGE COUNTY, Calif. - Gov. Gavin Newsom has approved Orange County's request for the reopening of Phase 2 businesses.

Starting Saturday, in-restaurant dining and shopping centers can be patronized by the public, as long as certain public health measures are followed.

According to a statement from OC Supervisor Lisa Bartlett, the following business sectors can move into the next steps of reopen with safety protocols. 

-- Restaurants – In-person dinning and outdoor patio seating

-- Retail shopping with social distancing at malls  and outlet center, plus curbside pickup

-- Manufacturing

-- Offices

-- Outdoor museums 

-- Limited personal services

“I am extremely pleased we were able to successfully demonstrate that Orange County met the State’s requirements and I am grateful to the State for the quick turnaround in the approval process ahead of the Memorial Day weekend,” Bartlett stated. 

As the governor's decision was announced, the county's health officer issued a new order and additional strong recommendations to help slow the spread of COVID-19 as more businesses move toward re-opening.

The order requires all persons to wear face coverings when in public, and also mandates self-isolation for all those with COVID-19, and self-quarantine for all those who have been exposed to COVID-19.

City News Service contributed to this story