With many California businesses now under a second shutdown order, a trade group leader says retailers would welcome more public health outreach on how the industry can help stem spread of the virus and prevent further restrictions.
“This order happened with very little warning, and there has to be a more strategic way to do this, in partnership with the business community, so it is a little more streamlined if we do have to shut down,” Rachel Michelin, president of the California Retailers Association, told the Northern California Record. “For example, if the numbers go up for 14 days, then we would know that this is what it will trigger, and this is data that’s being used.”
Not knowing what exact data is being followed is fueling uncertainty among businesses large and small, Michelin said.
“It’s getting very challenging as to what data is being used to say what can be open and what can’t,” Michelin said. “On the decision to close indoor shopping malls, when they haven’t seen huge outbreaks there, what was the reasoning?”
While some larger tenants with their own entrance and exit can stay open, stores in the middle of the mall cannot.
“For smaller retailers that aren’t set up for curbside service or without an extensive internet presence, the impact has been devastating,” Michelin said.
Meanwhile, the retail community is urging the public to follow the statewide mask mandate.
“It’s practical, not political,” Michelin said. “The governor is correct, so much depends on our own independent behavior.”
Respectfully following the guidelines is essential, Michelin said.
“These are the concrete things we can do collectively as Californians to keep our businesses open and stop the spread of this disease so we can get through this pandemic, so we can get back to normalcy – seeing our kids back in school, seeing tourism come back. By us all taking responsibility and doing our part, then we can see our economy reopen,” Michelin said.
But the current level of uncertainty means much of the state remains in a gray area.
“Right now, we’re waiting to see and praying the numbers improve, so we can see more stability on the health and economic front,” Michelin said.