State Releases New Guidance to Help Counties Plan for Reopening Based on Decisions by Local Public Health Officials

community association Jun 08, 2020

By Robert M. DeNichilo, Esq., CCAL

Last Friday, the California Department of Public Health issued new guidelines for reopening additional sectors of the economy. The new guidance contains two main points of interest to community associations including Fitness Facilities and Outdoor Recreation. While neither document specifically referenced HOAs, both documents provide guidance for reopening pool areas, and the Fitness Facility Guidance includes information for associations that have gyms. It is important to note that these go into effect no sooner than June 12, 2020, and only after county health officer approval following review of specific criteria related to the spread of coronavirus infection.

While much of the California Department of Public Health Guidance is similar to what was previously issued by local counties, we now have specific guidance documents that local counties can adopt once the local health official approves reopening facilities, which include:

  • Physical distancing guidelines
  • Cleaning and disinfection protocols
  • Considerations for communal restrooms and shower facilities, systems for cleaning and disinfecting furniture and equipment,
  • Providing physical cues or guides (e.g., lane lines in the water or chairs and tables on the deck)
  • Visual cues (e.g., tape on the decks, floors, or sidewalks) and signs to ensure that patrons and swimmers stay at least six feet apart from one another, both in and out of the water.

The complete list of new guidance from the California department of public health are provided below:

More information about the state’s COVID-19 guidance is on the California Department of Public Health’s Guidance web page.

As always, we hope you and your loved ones remain safe and healthy during these times. We understand the confusion regarding misinformation, and we are here to help address questions as quickly as we can. If we can be of further counsel, please feel free to contact us.

ABOVE ALL, SAFETY FIRST

The important thing to remember is that there is no road map; these are merely guidelines. Associations should check with legal counsel to determine how and when these new guidelines can be implemented to open community facilities.