What to know: Changes at San Diego restaurants, retail this Memorial Day weekend

By: Mark Saunders

May 22, 2020 

(Howard Lipin/The San Diego Union-Tribune)

SAN DIEGO (KGTV) — Despite moves to reopen sectors of San Diego County's business community ahead of the Memorial Day weekend, not everything has returned to normal.

The holiday weekend generally entices locals to hit the beach or park, restaurants, and more. 

This week, San Diego County was approved by state officials to begin its accelerated Stage 2 businesses reopening of dine-in restaurants and in-store retail with limits. Most beaches have already reopened, though not all activities will be allowed.

All areas of San Diego County still require residents to practice physical distancing and wear a facial covering when in public and within six feet of people not from the same household.

Here's a look at what's open and closed this weekend:

Memorial Day closures:
In San Diego County, all administrative offices and libraries will be closed. In the City of San Diego, all city offices are closed as well. For Chula Vista, all city offices will be closed.

Trash service across the county will be delayed by one day this week due to the holiday.

BEACHES: Open with limits
San Diego County beaches are open but some state beaches remained closed. Visitors are advised to check before visiting.

At beaches, visitors can swim, surf, paddleboard, kayak, and snorkel in the ocean. People can walk or run on the beach. Visitors cannot sit or lie down on the beach. Rules for dogs depend on if the beach allow them. Beach parking lots remain closed.

RESTAURANTS: Open with limits
Restaurants are allowed to open for dine-in or take-out service with restrictions. For those dine-in restaurants reopening, the county is requiring that they follow guidance (available here), which includes:

  • Temperature/symptom screening for employees daily

  • Employees with COVID-19 symptoms can't work

  • Employees must wear facial coverings

  • Outdoor seating may be expanded

  • Tables must be six feet apart or have barriers

  • Signs will be posted to remind customers about social distancing

  • Customers must wear facial coverings, expect when seated

  • No self-service features like salad bars or soda machines

  • Reservations are encouraged

IN-STORE RETAIL: Open with limits
Retail businesses need to complete the county's reopening plan (available here) and post it at entrances. Businesses that have already been open for pickup or delivery will need to update their plan and essential businesses that already have customers in-store do not need to update their plans.

No employees or customers with COVID-19 symptoms will be allowed to enter stores. Temperature/symptom screenings for employees must be done daily. Employees and customers must wear facial coverings and stores must limit the number of customers to maintain physical distancing.

This also applies to recreational rental businesses for things like bicycles, boats, surfboards, kayaks, and paddleboards. Equipment must be sanitized after each use.

PARKS: Open with limits
Not all county parks are open, so check before heading out. Parks that are open are limited to 50% parking lot capacity. Park visitors are allowed to sit, lie down, or picnic if they practice social distancing. Members of the same household are also permitted to play active sports.

GOLF COURSES: Open with limits
Golf course operators must create and post a plan for physical distancing. Golf instruction and sit-down food service are not allowed, and golf carts can have only one person, unless other golfers are from the same household. (Golf course guidance is available here)

CAMPING AND BOATING: Open with limits
Camping is allowed in the county. Each occupied campsite cannot be occupied on either side by another group. Playground and amenities at camp sites are still closed. Check with campgrounds before visiting.

Recreational boating on the ocean, bays, and lakes is allowed for members of the same household.

Original article can be found here.