May 20, 2020 Governor Gavin Newsom State of California 1303 10th Street, Suite 1173 Sacramento, CA 95814 Dear Governor Newsom: We commend you for your early and thoughtful response to COVID-19 in March. The stay-at- home orders and social distancing measures allowed California to have a fighting chance in the COVID-19 pandemic. The steps taken have proven to work, as the trend in California has not matched predictions and forecasts. Thanks to all of the residents and businesses across the state who have voluntarily adhered to all State restrictions and guidance for almost two months, many counties have successfully flattened the curve. In addition to this, counties have worked diligently to expand the capacity of medical facilities, gather sufficient supplies and resources, and increase testing. We appreciate your announcement last week allowing local Health Officers, based on data- driven metrics and an attestation, to begin a phased reopening of certain lower risk businesses and activities at the local level. However, we respectfully request you amend your statewide Orders to allow local Health Officers to phase in reopening of additional lower risk businesses during Stage 2 of your roadmap. Per the Johns Hopkins Public Health Principles for Phased Reopening during COVID-19: Guidance to Governors, businesses in the personal care sector, gyms and fitness studios, and recreational facilities have low to medium contact intensity and number of contacts as well as a higher ability to modify operations. Given this, we urge you to consider allowing the reopening of these businesses with appropriate modifications during Stage 2 of your roadmap. The primary purpose of the stay-at-home order is to protect the health and safety of California residents. Health and safety is all encompassing, and it is a constant balancing act to ensure that we are doing all we can on that front. We must keep in mind the negative impact prolonged isolation and economic uncertainty also have on public health and safety. Please consider immediately amending your Orders to allow businesses in the personal care sector, gyms and fitness studios, and recreational facilities to reopen during Stage 2, where supported by local data and appropriate mitigation measures. Such action will allow for more individuals and businesses to begin a phased-in return to work. While businesses will have to modify operations to comply with necessary mitigation measures, the private and public sectors are up to the challenge in order to provide some economic relief while continuing to keep cases low. Thank you for your consideration of our request. Sincerely, JAMES GALLAGHER JAY OBERNOLTE Assemblyman, 3rd District Assemblyman, 33rd District JORDAN CUNNINGHAM JIM PATTERSON Assemblyman, 35th District Assemblyman, 23rd District TOM LACKEY FRANK BIGELOW Assemblyman, 36th District Assemblyman, 5th District MEGAN DAHLE STEVEN CHOI Assemblywoman, 1st District Assemblyman, 68th District DEVON MATHIS CHAD MAYES Assemblyman, 26th District Assemblyman, 42nd District KEVIN KILEY BILL BROUGH Assemblyman, 6th District Assemblyman, 73rd District VINCE FONG Assemblyman, 34th District .