‘Unrealistic Standards’: San Diego Politicians Want to Decide How to Reopen Business

Matt Hoffman photo

Above: Oceanside Councilman Christopher Rodriguez and two dozen residents gathered at the MetroFlex Gym in Oceanside on May 11, 2020 to show their support for its owner, who was cited for opening over the weekend in violation of orders. Diego County Health Services that prohibit the opening of certain businesses. during the pandemic.

San Diego County Supervisor Greg Cox and San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer are saying California Governor Gavin Newsom’s requirements to reopen businesses are too stringent.

In a joint letter to Newsom on Monday, Cox and Faulconer outlined readiness criteria for reopening businesses, such as not having had COVID-19 related deaths in the past 14 days.

These requirements, they said, “are not realistic standards that can be met in the short term.”

Cox and Faulconer said that if the reopening restrictions are not eased, our local economy will continue to suffer.

“Requirements like this could ensure that important parts of our economy are closed indefinitely until therapeutics and vaccines are available to the general public,” the letter says.

Cox and Faulconer said the state’s current approach has frustrated millions of workers struggling to make ends meet. The couple is telling the governor that they have worked with businesses and union leaders on a plan that balances public safety and the need to return to work.

“Our companies are ready to carefully reopen and adapt with the necessary protective measures,” the letter said. “But they (companies) should have that opportunity.”

Meanwhile, in North County, a politician says he has had enough.

“We want to protect public safety, but we have to survive and there is no choice but to open up and toast,” Oceanside City Councilman Christopher Rodriguez said Monday.

Rodríguez sent a letter over the weekend encouraging homeowners to reopen their businesses if they feel comfortable doing so. Oceanside Mayor Peter Weiss responded Saturday by saying that this is not the city’s official position, and that everyone must follow public health orders.

“Neither the city council nor individual council members have the authority to order that any business violate county health orders,” Weiss’s letter said.

Rodríguez and about two dozen residents gathered at the MetroFlex gym in Oceanside on Monday to show their support for its owner, who was cited for opening over the weekend in violation of county health orders.

Governor Newsom said the gyms will reopen as part of “phase 3” of the state plan to ease the restrictions. Newsom said that could happen in a month or less, but the MetroFlex owner already plans to reopen again on Wednesday, in coordination with Councilman Rodríguez.

“We are opening Wednesday because Chris is having a lot of business in Oceanside. I think he said 100 businesses will reopen by then and that we will be one of those businesses,” said MetroFlex owner Lou Uridel, “to be united with Chris. “

Oceanside Police said MetroFlex is the first nonessential business to be cited for remaining open in the city.

To view PDF documents, download Acrobat Reader.