California Could Reach June Reopening Milestone If Expectations Met

California has the lowest rates of coronavirus infections in the country, Gov. Gavin Newsom said during a press conference on April 6, which could lead the state to fully reopen in June.

Newsom asserted that data point as part of an announcement that the state’s economy could fully reopen on June 15 if certain conditions are met, marking a potential advancement in the outlook for recovery from the coronavirus pandemic.

“I definitely think it pushes the bar forward, and every little thing we can get that helps move everything forward is just one step better," said Colliers Executive Vice President Dave Sandlin, who had previously anticipated the reopening to happen in July.

While a potential late spring economic resurgence holds promise for businesses like restaurants and retail that have been shuttered or operating at very limited capacity over the past year, it is dependent on several factors.

Newsom stipulated that the restriction will only be lifted if vaccine supply is enough to meet demand for those over the age of 16 and if hospitalization rates remain low. The latter requires the general public to continue being vigilant about mask-wearing, hand-washing and social distancing. There is also the wild card of whether vaccination efforts will be effective against viral mutations that continue to emerge.

“California has made incredible progress controlling the spread of Covid-19 by staying home, masking, and getting vaccines out quickly to Californians in every corner of the state, including in those communities hardest hit by this pandemic,” California Health and Human Services Secretary Mark Ghaly said in a statement. “In order to take the next step, we must continue to do our part to keep this momentum moving in the right direction, and that means continuing to wear a mask and ensuring everyone who is eligible gets the vaccine.”

By April 6, a total of 20 million Covid-19 vaccines had been administered in California with 4 million shots given in communities deemed hardest hit by the pandemic. If the positive trajectory continues, newly reopened businesses, public spaces and workplaces will be subject to abiding by public health policies that include mask-wearing and bolstering ventilation in indoor spaces. In the absence of vaccination status verification for all those in attendance, conventions will be limited to 5,000 people.