COVID-19 Business Reopening Plans

On November 17, 2020 Mendocino County Public Health Officer Dr. Andy Coren issued an updated health order, which is in effect until rescinded.  The November 17, 2020 order is here. 

The State Blueprint for a Safer Economy is here.

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the State of California and Mendocino County have issued guidance for businesses to reopen. This website is your guide to achieving compliance for reopening.

BEFORE businesses can reopen they must comply with State and County of Mendocino guidelines and submit a self-certification to the County of Mendocino. High-risk sectors must write and upload their plan to this portal. The County recommends businesses review this site on a regular basis for updates to industry best practices.

Follow the simple steps below to self-certify and achieve compliance:

  1. Review the required Mendocino County Safe Operations Business Checklist
  2. Select your industry sector
  3. High risk sectors must write and upload their plan to this portal
  4. Moderate risk sectors can review recommendations and create their plan to have on-site
  5. Complete the Self-Certification (Business License required)
  6. Download your Certificate of Compliance to post at your business

Effective November 17, 2020, and in alignment with the state’s Purple Tier 1 category, the following industries must abide by these guidelines in order to slow the spread of COVID-19:

  • Restaurants must operate by means of takeout or outdoor dining only, while abiding by social distancing requirements, as well as facial covering requirements when not consuming food.
  • Gyms must operate outdoors only, while abiding by social distancing and facial covering requirements.
  • Places of worship must operate outdoors only, while abiding by social distancing and facial covering requirements.
  • Retail stores are limited to a maximum of 25% capacity, while abiding by social distancing and facial covering requirements.
  • Skilled Nursing Facilities may no longer have in-person visitors.
  • Schools may remain open for on-campus instruction, if they had already opened on-campus instruction while the county was in the Red Tier. Such schools are urged to ask staff to test for COVID-19 regularly. If a school did not re-open on-campus instruction in the Red Tier, their campus must remain closed. 

 

Effective September 22, 2020, the following business sectors must continue to cease indoor operation in Mendocino County until further notice:

  • Wineries and tasting rooms (outdoor only with modifications)
  • Bars, breweries and brew pubs (outdoor only; exceptions apply when serving food)
  • Family entertainment centers (Example: bowling alleys, miniature golf, batting cages and arcades) (outdoor only)
  • Cardrooms (outdoor only)

 

Additionally, the following sectors, businesses, establishments, or activities are not permitted to operate anywhere in the State of California at this time:

  • Indoor playgrounds (bounce centers, ball pits and laser tag etc.)
  • Live theater
  • Saunas and steam rooms
  • Nightclubs
  • Concert venues
  • Festivals
  • Theme parks

Self Certification Process

The ability for the County to open up safely depends upon the responsible conduct of all of our local businesses, which engagement and cooperation will help the County make the case for expanding more quickly to future phases of reopening as permitted by the State. Even a single business can stall the County from further reopening and possibly cause the County to revert backwards to more restrictive shelter-in-place orders.

High Risk Sectors

Higher risk businesses must upload their plan to this portal. If you don’t yet have a plan, select your industry-specific Health and Safety Form to create one. Your plan may follow any format so long as it addresses the key sector-specific questions.

Campgrounds, RV Parks, Outdoor Recreation

Funeral Services

Gyms and Fitness Facilities

Hair Salons and Barber Shops

Movie Theaters and Family Entertainment Centers

Personal Care Services

Places of Worship

Tasting Rooms and Bars

Therapeutic Services

Transient Lodging (Including Vacation Rentals)

Zoos, Museums, Galleries, and Aquariums

Moderate Risk Sectors

Agriculture and Livestock

Automobile Dealerships

Child Care Facilities and Day Camps

Construction

Manufacturing

Office Spaces

Restaurants

Retail

Business Self Certification

Fill out and submit the following form. Or you may print out a physical copy of the form here, and mail the completed certification form (with any required attachments) to: County of Mendocino Environmental Health, 860 N. Bush Street, Ukiah, CA 95482.

Step 1 of 4

Further Resources