(Re-opening is underway)…It began Tuesday evening.

Imperial County Health Officer Dr. Stephen Munday issued an amended Health Officer Order which went into effect at 5:00 Tuesday evening. The amended order authorizes the reopening of places of worship for religious services and all in-store retail shopping in Imperial County. The decision was based on the release of new guidance by the California Department of Public Health, which reprioritizes religious services and in-store retail shopping within the State’s phased reopening plan and allows for reopening upon approval of the local Health Officer. The state order gives the local Health Officer the authority to move slower and more cautiously based on the status of COVID 19 in the County. Places of worship are allowed to hold religious services and funerals provided attended are limited to 25% of the building capacity or up to 100 attendees, whichever is less. The latest modification does not include the reopening of dine-in restaurant service, hair salons, nail salons and barbershops, at this time.