Skip to content

California Issues Guidelines for Reopening Dine-in Restaurants and Retail Stores

Sanders Says Likelihood of Another Presidential Run Is ‘Very, Very Slim’

Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) this week said the odds of him launching a third presidential campaign are “very, very slim” after suspending his current campaign last month and endorsing Joe Biden. Speaking at a live-streamed Washington Post event on May 11, Sanders was asked whether he’d consider a third consecutive presidential run in 2024, but confirmed the chances of it happening are highly unlikely. “I think the likelihood is very, very slim at that,” Sanders replied. “I think next time around you’re going to see another candidate carrying the progressive banner. I think it’s very, very unlikely that I’ll ever be running for president again.” Sanders, who describes himself as a Democratic socialist, first ran for president in 2016. Despite entering the contest with far less recognition than former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, he…

California Issues Guidelines for Reopening Dine-in Restaurants and Retail Stores

On May 12, Governor Gavin Newsom announced guidelines for restaurants looking to reopen for in-person seating. He also announced guidelines for retail and shopping malls.

Dine-in Restaurants

All dine-in restaurants (PDF), brewpubs, breweries, bars, pubs, craft distilleries, and wineries should follow restaurant guidelines if they provide sit-down meals, and they should still encourage takeout and delivery service when possible. Restaurants are to establish a written COVID-19 prevention plan for all work areas. Employees should be trained in health protocols and asked to stay home if they do not feel well.

Here is a list of some of the cleaning and disinfecting guidelines for dine-in restaurants:

  • Thoroughly clean high-traffic areas like customer waiting areas and lobbies, break rooms, stairways, escalators, handrails, elevator controls, door handles, and light switches.
  • Frequently clean and sanitize touchable surfaces, such as tables, chairs, serving trays, tablecloths, utensils, touchscreens, carts, and keys, between shifts or between users.
  • Avoid sharing audio equipment, phones, tablets, laptops, desks, pens, and other work supplies.
  • Employees should be assigned cleaning duties during work hours. Breaks should be staggered to maintain physical distancing protocols. All physical distancing protocols apply.
  • Configure spaces to allow at least six feet of distance between people dining, working, and going through entry and exit areas.
  • Spaces should be equipped with hand sanitizer and sanitizing wipes for staff directly assisting customers. Sanitary facilities should be stocked at all times.
  • If possible, restaurants should open windows or doors to increase fresh air circulation.
  • Provide disposable menus and make menus available digitally, or if this is not possible, disinfect menus before and after each customer use.
  • Do not pre-set tables with napkins, cutlery, glassware, food ware, etc. These items should instead be supplied individually to customers. Tables should also be clear of card stands, flyers, napkin holders, etc.
  • Consider suspending shared food items like condiment bottles or salt and pepper shakers, and switch to single-use containers or packets.
  • Pre-roll utensils in napkins before customers use them. Employees must wash hands before pre-rolling.
  • Have customers fill their own takeout containers.
  • Close areas where customers gather together or touch food. Provide items to customers individually. This includes self-service areas like buffets, salad bars with utensil caddies, napkins, lids, straws, water pitchers, and to-go containers. Self-service machines like ice, soda, and frozen yogurt dispensers should also be closed.
  • Stop leaving out after-meal mints, candies, snacks, or toothpicks.
  • Put away and close entertainment activities like board games, pool tables, arcade games, and vending machines.

Retail

All retailers (PDF) should also have a written COVID-19 prevention plan for all work areas, according to the guidelines. Employees should be trained in physical distancing and health protocols.

Here is a list of some of the guidelines for retail:

  • Thoroughly clean high-traffic areas.
  • Clean and sanitize shared equipment like ladders, supply carts, clocks, payment portals, and other tools and surfaces.
  • Spaces should be equipped with hand sanitizer and sanitizing wipes. Sanitary facilities should be stocked at all times.
  • Adjust hours to allow time for cleaning and product stocking. This includes assigning employees cleaning duties during work hours.
  • Try to install hands-free devices like automatic soap and paper towel dispensers, no-touch trash cans, and contactless payment.
  • Encourage customers to use debit or credit cards. If they bring reusable bags, they should bag their own purchases.
  • Shopping malls should have curbside or outside pickup points that are clearly marked, and there should be markings that designate at least six feet of distance inside stores.
  • Stagger employee break hours.
  • Dedicate hours for the vulnerable, preferably after a thorough cleaning.
  • Adjust maximum occupancy rules to ensure physical distancing.
  • Spread out delivery times and reduce person-to-person contact as much as possible.
  • Ask non-employees like truck drivers, delivery agents, or vendors to wear personal protective equipment.

Focus News: California Issues Guidelines for Reopening Dine-in Restaurants and Retail Stores

Kobe Bryant Crash Passengers Were Negligent, Court Documents Allege

The brother of the pilot in the helicopter crash that killed all nine people aboard including NBA legend Kobe Bryant says the passengers were negligent, according to court papers filed recently. Attorneys for Berge Zobayan, listed as successor in interest for pilot Ara Zobayan, allege “any injuries or damages to plaintiffs and/or their decedent was directly caused in full or in part by the negligence or fault of plaintiffs and/or their decedent,” according to the 7-page document. The document, an answer to a wrongful death lawsuit filed by Bryant’s widow, Vanessa Bryant, adds the passengers knew the risks involved. (Harry How/Getty Images)“And that this negligence was a substantial factor in causing their purported damages, for which this answering defendant bears no responsibility,” the response says. Attorneys for Zobayan shift “negligence,…