Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility

West Bank Town Becomes ‘Big Prison’ as Israel Fences It In

2 days ago

Trump Says He’s Willing to Let Migrant Farm Laborers Stay in US

2 days ago

US Electric Vehicle Tax Breaks Will Expire on Sept. 30

3 days ago

Eyeing Arctic Dominance, Trump Bill Earmarks $8.6 Billion for US Coast Guard Icebreakers

3 days ago

Trump’s Sweeping Tax-Cut and Spending Bill Wins Congressional Approval

3 days ago

Americans Celebrate Their Independence With Record-Breaking Travel Numbers

3 days ago

US Supreme Court to Decide Legality of Transgender School Sports Bans

3 days ago

Nvidia Set to Become the World’s Most Valuable Company in History

3 days ago

Poll: 41% in US ‘Extremely Proud’ to Be American, Near Historic Low

3 days ago
Brand: 'We Will Be Opening up Businesses We Think Are Low Risk'
David Taub Website photo 2024
By David Taub, Senior Reporter
Published 5 years ago on
May 1, 2020

Share

Fresno’s shelter-in-place order will extend through May 31, Mayor Lee Brand said Friday morning while also revealing plans for the phased reopening of closed businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In addition, the mayor said that residents will be required to wear masks while shopping and entering other public places.

“We clearly understand the health risks, but we also have an economy that is crashing around us. We will be opening up businesses we think are low risk.”Fresno Mayor Lee Brand

“We have to protect the employees at the supermarkets and other places we shop,” Brand said during a Zoom news conference from his northeast Fresno home.

Brand also provided a few early details about reopening the economy.

“We are still navigating uncharted waters. I believe we have a safe and sensible process to rebuild our economy, get back to work and start restoring our normal lives,” Brand said.

The mayor said that he would have more announcements on business reopenings later Friday and the public could expect more announcements next week.

“We clearly understand the health risks, but we also have an economy that is crashing around us,” Brand said. “We will be opening up businesses we think are low risk.”

“The safety of everybody is in my hands. We have to have a balance between keeping us safe and helping our economy.”

In addition to the extension, Friday’s order directs the closing of all city parks, including Woodward and Roeding Regional Parks, for the weekends of May 9-10 (Mother’s Day) and May 23-25, 2020 (Memorial Day).

Signs requiring face masks at Costco. (GV Wire File)

Plan to Reopen Business

Brand hopes his phased-in approach to reopening businesses will be a model for the state.

“I recognize that patience is running thin. People want to get back to work and businesses want to open their doors,” Brand said.

Brand’s plan will allow businesses to open in phases based on public health data. Lower-risk businesses will be considered first, based on social distancing measures and risk to the public.

Businesses will be invited to apply to be considered “authorized businesses,” a new category beyond essential and nonessential businesses. Brand said it will be done on a sector-by-sector basis.

Although Brand initially said businesses could apply to be considered, it turns out that step is not necessary. According to the language of the new emergency order, businesses will be considered by category to reopen.

Parameters will be set by the city’s emergency management team — headed by City Manager Wilma Quan — with consultation from the mayor’s Fresno Recovery Advisory Committee, city council, and public health experts.

One goal, Brand said, was to level the playing field between small retailers and big-box operations such as Costco and Target.

Retailers who want to reopen basically would have to follow the same rules as the big-box stores: social distancing of 6 feet, limiting customers, and abiding by the new mask requirement.

Brand said things may change based on conditions.

“If the indicators worsen, we may roll back things. If the indicators are proved, we’ll roll out the next phase of reopening,” Brand said. “This innovative phase process will over time bring back thousands of people to work, restore closed businesses, and start the economic rebuilding of our economy.”

Mandatory Masks Wearing

Brand’s order also requires masks to be worn while out in most public places, particularly shopping.

Some stores like Petco and Costco (starting Monday) mandate masks for customers.

“We want to protect the employees of the store as well as the people who go in the store, the customers,” Brand said.

It would not apply to activities such as walking the dog around the neighborhood or riding in a car.

Brand said he doesn’t anticipate anyone being ticketed for not wearing a mask, just customers wouldn’t be allowed in a store.

As far as those with medical complications such as respiratory issues where mask-wearing may not be recommended, Brand said they would take it on a case by case basis.

According to the posted order, “anyone with a medical condition that precludes wearing of a mask” are exempt.

Recreational Activities Could Expand

Brand said he would discuss with his team adding recreation such as golf and tennis to permitted activities.

Yesterday, Gov. Gavin Newsom expanded his interpretation of allowable activities, including canoeing and hiking, as long as physical distancing is practiced.

Those are all things we support to get people out of their houses, get some exercise, have some fun,” Brand said.

Gov. Newsom said Thursday, April 30, that golf, tennis and other recreational activities are permitted under the state’s COVID-19 shelter-in-place orders. (GV Wire/Jahz Tello)

This Is Third Extension of Shelter-in-Place Orders

It is the third extension Brand ordered since first declaring a city-wide shelter-in-place that started March 19, three days after a coronavirus state of emergency.

The first shelter-in-place was set to expire March 31; it was extended through April 12, then through May 6. The Fresno order is on top of a state shelter-in-place order by Gov. Gavin Newsom starting March 19 and remains in place.

The order means that Fresnans are allowed to leave their homes for only essential needs, such as medical care or grocery shopping. Outdoor recreation is permitted, as long as physical distancing is practiced. The city has kept its parks open, although it shut down playgrounds and recreational equipment, as well as parking lots.

Businesses deemed essential will be allowed to remain open, while those nonessential businesses will remain closed.

Brand Convenes Advisory Committee

Brand convened a Fresno Recovery Advisory Committee, made up of two dozen elected officials, business and health care leaders. The group has met at least twice, including Thursday.

One recommendation put into place was to allow pet grooming businesses to reopen.

Guidelines set by the state calls for four stages to reopen. The first stage is continued COVID-19 testing, and assure hospitals can handle a possible surge.

The second stage would allow “lower risk” workplaces to open such as curbside pickup for retail outlets, offices, and manufacturing jobs.

Stable hospitalization and ICU trends, meeting surge capacity demands, and sufficient personal protective equipment will need to be met in order to advance to Stage 2.

Stage three would allow “higher risk workplaces” such as hair salons, movie theater and other entertainment venues and gyms to open.

The final stage would be the end of the shelter-in-place order.

Calls to Open Up Business, Extend Shelter

Earlier this week, Councilman Garry Bredefeld and nearly two dozen business owners held a news conference demanding they be deemed essential.

Brand said Friday that Bredefeld’s criticism of his handling of the pandemic played no role in Friday’s announcement.

“We’ve been working on this for weeks,” the mayor said.

He was heavily critical of Brand and other leaders for shutting down certain businesses while allowing others to remain open. Bredefeld threatened a lawsuit, calling the practice unconstitutional.

Also this week, Councilman Nelson Esparza called for the order to be extended through May 31.

Nearly two dozen business owners and the media attend a news conference of Councilman Garry Bredefeld. He wants Fresno businesses to open now. (GV Wire/David Taub)

Read the New Shelter-in-Place Order


[Update, 5/01/2020: this story has been updated after a different interpretation of whether businesses have to apply to be considered to reopen was made. Language of the ordinance was released after Brand’s announcement, clarifying that applications are not needed.]

DON'T MISS

What Are Fresno Real Estate Experts Predicting for 2025 and Beyond?

DON'T MISS

First California EV Mandates Hit Automakers This Year. Most Are Not Even Close

DON'T MISS

TikTok Building New Version of App Ahead of Expected US Sale, the Information Reports

DON'T MISS

Hamas Government Office Rejects US Accusation of Involvement in Gaza Aid Site Attack

DON'T MISS

Death Toll From Texas Floods Reaches 78, Trump Plans Visit

DON'T MISS

Trump Calls Musk’s Formation of New Party “Ridiculous” and Confusing

DON'T MISS

Fresno DUI Driver Slams Into CHP Motorcycle, Tow Truck on Highway 99

DON'T MISS

Russia Downs 120 Ukrainian Drones Overnight, Defense Ministry Says

DON'T MISS

Israel Sends Delegation to Qatar for Gaza Talks Ahead of Netanyahu Trip to US

DON'T MISS

San Luis Obispo’s Madre Fire Grows to Nearly 80,000 Acres, 30% Contained

DON'T MISS

Musk Announces Forming of ‘America Party’ in Further Break From Trump

DON'T MISS

Death Toll From Texas Floods Reaches 59, Including 21 Children

UP NEXT

Fresno DUI Driver Slams Into CHP Motorcycle, Tow Truck on Highway 99

UP NEXT

San Luis Obispo’s Madre Fire Grows to Nearly 80,000 Acres, 30% Contained

UP NEXT

Death Toll From Texas Floods Reaches 59, Including 21 Children

UP NEXT

Madre Fire Spurs Evacuations Across 3 Counties, Grows to More Than 70,000 Acres

UP NEXT

Clovis, Sanger, Madera, and Bass Lake Will Light the Sky With Fireworks Shows Tonight

UP NEXT

Valley Crime Stoppers’ Most Wanted Person of the Day: Rachelle Maria Blanco

UP NEXT

Fresno Police to Conduct DUI Checkpoint on Fourth of July, Boost Holiday Patrols

UP NEXT

Fresno Crash Involving Unlicensed Teen Driver Sends Woman to Hospital

UP NEXT

Madre Fire Burns More Than 52,000 Acres in San Luis Obispo County

UP NEXT

RIP John Harris: Fresno County Rancher, Racehorse Breeder Was a Visionary Leader Who Leaves a ‘Profound Legacy’

David Taub,
Senior Reporter
Curiosity drives David Taub. The award-winning journalist might be shy, but feels mighty with a recorder in his hand. He doesn't see it his job to "hold public officials accountable," but does see it to provide readers (and voters) the information needed to make intelligent choices. Taub has been honored with several writing awards from the California News Publishers Association. He's just happy to have his stories read. Joining GV Wire in 2016, Taub covers politics, government and elections, mainly in the Fresno/Clovis area. He also writes columns about local eateries (Appetite for Fresno), pro wrestling (Off the Bottom Rope), and media (Media Man). Prior to joining the online news source, Taub worked as a radio producer for KMJ and PowerTalk 96.7 in Fresno. He also worked as an assignment editor for KCOY-TV in Santa Maria, California, and KSEE-TV in Fresno. He has also worked behind the scenes for several sports broadcasts, including the NCAA basketball tournament, and the Super Bowl. When not spending time with his family, Taub loves to officially score Fresno Grizzlies games. Growing up in the San Francisco Bay Area, Taub is a die-hard Giants and 49ers fan. He graduated from the University of Michigan with dual degrees in communications and political science. Go Blue! You can contact David at 559-492-4037 or at Send an Email

Trump Calls Musk’s Formation of New Party “Ridiculous” and Confusing

3 hours ago

Fresno DUI Driver Slams Into CHP Motorcycle, Tow Truck on Highway 99

9 hours ago

Russia Downs 120 Ukrainian Drones Overnight, Defense Ministry Says

9 hours ago

Israel Sends Delegation to Qatar for Gaza Talks Ahead of Netanyahu Trip to US

9 hours ago

San Luis Obispo’s Madre Fire Grows to Nearly 80,000 Acres, 30% Contained

9 hours ago

Musk Announces Forming of ‘America Party’ in Further Break From Trump

9 hours ago

Death Toll From Texas Floods Reaches 59, Including 21 Children

9 hours ago

California’s Politics Drifts Right While New York’s Leans Left

10 hours ago

How Trump’s ‘Big, Beautiful Bill’ Will Make China Great Again

1 day ago

What’s Caitlin Clark Worth to the WNBA? A Lot More Than Her $78,066 Salary.

1 day ago

TikTok Building New Version of App Ahead of Expected US Sale, the Information Reports

TikTok is building a new version of its app for users in the United States ahead of a planned sale of the app to a group of investors, The I...

2 hours ago

A logo is displayed over a door at the U.S. headquarters of the social media company TikTok in Culver City, California, U.S. January 17, 2025. (Reuters File)
2 hours ago

TikTok Building New Version of App Ahead of Expected US Sale, the Information Reports

Boxes of aid are stacked as Gaza Humanitarian Foundation said it has commenced operations to begin distribution of aid, in Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip, May 26, 2025. (Reuters File)
2 hours ago

Hamas Government Office Rejects US Accusation of Involvement in Gaza Aid Site Attack

A volunteer searches for flood victims after deadly flooding in Kerr County, Texas, U.S., July 6, 2025. REUTERS/Sergio Flores
3 hours ago

Death Toll From Texas Floods Reaches 78, Trump Plans Visit

Tesla CEO and X owner Elon Musk listens as US President-elect Donald Trump speaks during a meeting with House Republicans at the Hyatt Regency hotel in Washington, DC, U.S. on November 13, 2024. (Reuters File)
3 hours ago

Trump Calls Musk’s Formation of New Party “Ridiculous” and Confusing

A 22-year-old suspected DUI driver crashed into a parked CHP motorcycle and tow truck on Highway 99 near Fresno, narrowly missing an officer and bystanders, CHP said Saturday, July 5, 2025. (CHP)
9 hours ago

Fresno DUI Driver Slams Into CHP Motorcycle, Tow Truck on Highway 99

A service member of a drone unit of the 24th Separate Mechanized Brigade named after King Danylo of the Ukrainian Armed Forces controls a heavy combat drone while it flies over positions of Russian troops, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Donetsk Region, Ukraine June 12, 2025. (Reuters File)
9 hours ago

Russia Downs 120 Ukrainian Drones Overnight, Defense Ministry Says

An Israeli tank maneuvers in Gaza, as seen from the Israeli side of the border, July 6, 2025. (Reuters/Amir Cohen)
9 hours ago

Israel Sends Delegation to Qatar for Gaza Talks Ahead of Netanyahu Trip to US

The Madre Fire near New Cuyama has burned nearly 80,000 acres as of Sunday, July 6, 2025, morning, prompting widespread evacuation orders and warnings across three counties. (CalFire)
9 hours ago

San Luis Obispo’s Madre Fire Grows to Nearly 80,000 Acres, 30% Contained

Help continue the work that gets you the news that matters most.

Search

Send this to a friend