Update: County health officials confirm Friday 36 more cases of COVID-19 as Stage 3 businesses allowed to open

Specific COVID-19 protocols include establishing a workplace-specific plan, training employees, implementing screening and control measures, cleaning and disinfecting, and social distancing best practices. The California Department of Public Health has listed the protocols at its website, located at www.Covid19.CA.Gov/Roadmap-Counties.

County officials say that implementing these mitigation measures will not stop the virus from spreading in the business or community. However, adhering to the guidelines will work to slow the spread of COVID-19.

The Kings County Department of Public Health will be available to local businesses throughout the county to help interpret the guidelines and to provide educational assistance, if needed, to businesses wishing to open.

“State law continues to require that all possible steps be taken to ensure the safety of workers and the public from the spread of the virus,” stated Kings County’s Public Health Officer Milton Teske in Thursday press release. “Preventative measures include physical distancing, the use of face coverings by employees and customers, frequent handwashing, regular cleaning and disinfection, and training employees on these and other elements of the COVID-19 prevention plan.”

Local health officials emphasize that businesses that choose to reopen must follow and implement the statewide COVID-19 industry guidance specific to your operation and must implement appropriate preventative measures in all operational aspects of the business.

Kings County Stage 3 businesses allowed to open so long as they meet the state’s protocols:

• Campgrounds, RV Parks, and Outdoor Recreation
• Hotels, Lodging, and Short-Term Rentals (for tourism)
• Cardrooms, Satellite Wagering Facilities, and Racetracks
• Family Entertainment Centers (bowling alleys, miniature golf, batting cages, arcades, and movie theaters)
• Restaurants, Bars, and Wineries (including brewpubs, craft distilleries, breweries, bars, and pubs)
• Fitness Facilities
• Museums, Galleries, Zoos, Botanical Gardens, and Aquariums 
• Indoor Museums, Kids Museums, Gallery Spaces, Zoos and Libraries 
• Entertainment Venues (professional sports without live audiences) 
• Film, Television, and Music production
• Schools
• Day Camps
• Casinos operated by sovereign tribal nations
• Hair  Salons and Barbershops

The following businesses are not included in Stage 3 and will not be allowed to open until the County is allowed to move into Stage 4: 

• Personal Services such as nail salons, tattoo parlors, spas, body waxing
• Indoor Playgrounds such as bounce centers, ball pits, and laser tag
• Live Theater
• Saunas and Steam Rooms
• Nightclubs 
• Concert Venues 
• Live Audience Sports 
• Festivals 
• Theme Parks 
• Higher Education

The KCDPH will close a business that it determines is incapable of effectively controlling the risk factors for the spread of COVID-19 as they implement the County’s guidelines.

The below list depicts the current situation COVID-19 infection rate in Kings County as of June 12, 2020: 

Total Kings County (non-correctional) Cases: 739

Total Cases Associated to State-Operated Correctional Facilities in Kings County: 985

• 3 (Travel Related)
• 1,346 (Close Contact)
• 111 (Community Transmission)
• 264 (Under Investigation) 

Total Deaths: 6

Recovered: 588

KCDPH is currently conducting communicable disease investigations to identify any persons who may have had close personal contact with these individuals, including any friends, family members, or health care professionals, to assess and monitor them for signs and symptoms of illness. Due to privacy laws, no specific information regarding any of the 1,724 cases can be shared with the public.