What's open in Fresno? + Coronavirus Cases Rise 😬
Alternate subject line to this was "The Fresno Reopening Guide When Clearly It Should Not Be Reopened."
Good morning, Fresno! It is Saturday, June 13, 2020.
2020 is almost halfway over. Do you ever just think we have spent pretty much most of this year cooped up inside? I am starting to get really, really, really, really antsy. Was life before The Rona™ even real? It feels like a dream and we woke up to this one. Shit sucks.
Anyways, many in Fresno seem like they are anxious to try and go back to “normal.” But what is exactly is open now in Fresno? Here is your handy guide to Fresno’s gradual grand reopening.
Note: Coronavirus is still a real threat. Please make sure to wear a mask and maintain social distance if you decide to go out… There 😳 Be safe, be smart!
What’s Open in Fresno? A non-exhaustive list
Fresno County, like most other counties in California, is approved to open more businesses under Governor Newsom’s plan for reopening. We are currently in Phase 3.
Phase 2 let dine-in restaurants, hair salons, barbershops and casinos open. Phase 3 lets more businesses open up after June 12. It is still up to the individual business owners to decide if they want to open up or not. Even if their sector is cleared to open, some have decided to open later, such as Maya Cinemas as you’ll see.
But first a list of what is NOT open:
Indoor playgrounds such as bounce centers, ball pits and laser tag
Live theater
Saunas and steam rooms
Nightclubs
Concert venues
Festivals (yo, I knew Coachella would be canceled until next year)
Theme parks
Higher education
Nail salons, tattoo parlors, and body waxing
Here is a list of every type of business that can be open and some Fresno businesses that I can find that have details on their reopening.
Bars
Tioga-Sequoia Beer Garden
Monday-Wednesday: 3 p.m. - 8 p.m.
Thursday-Sunday: 12 p.m. - 8 p.m.Masks required at all times unless seated.
Goldstein Mortuary & Delicatessen
Hours: 3 p.m. - 12 a.m.
Strummer’s
Bar & restaurant section open
Hours: 5 p.m. - 12 a.m.
Gyms and Fitness Centers
GB3 George Brown Sports Club
Members must wear masks upon entering. Wearing a mask while working out is not mandatory but recommended.
Screening questions will be asked at the door.
Members must wipe equipment down before and after each use.
Fit Republic
Masks required upon entry but not while working out.
Gym will operate at half occupancy
Members are asked to wipe down equipment before and after use.
Some cardio and strength machines are not available to accommodate social distance.
Temperature checked at the door.
Planet Fitness
Similar guidelines as above.
Movie theaters and family entertainment centers
Many of the businesses in this category are not immediately opening.
No Surrender Laser Tag
Capacity limited to 250 people
All staff wearing masks, patrons encouraged to do the same. Keyword: encouraged.
Rasputin
Hours: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Masks require to enter. Temperature will be taken at the door.
Maya Cinemas
Reopening July 1
Regal Cinemas
No date set.
Sierra Vista Cinemas
Before or at the end of June.
Tower Theatre
Can open with 25% capacity. No date set.
Roger Rocka’s Dinner Theater
Not open. They are confused if they are a theatre or a restaurant under these guidelines. Also the close contact of the actors and audience. That’s the price you pay for daring to combine fine cuisine and the fine art of theater. No opening date scheduled.
Historic Crest Theatre
No set date or time for reopening.
Zoos and museums
Fresno Chaffee Zoo
Hours: Daily, 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Must purchase tickets for TIMED entry. You have to select when you want to visit and show up at that time.
The zoo has limited its capacity to ~1,300.
Patrons asked to bring mask. Not necessary to wear at all times but useful when crowds gather
Visit this link for more info and to purchase tickets: https://www.fresnochaffeezoo.org/plan-your-visit/
Parks
Yosemite National Park
You must purchase a $2 day-use reservation, in addition to the $35 vehicle entrance fee.
Entry is EXTREMELY limited. Going to Yosemite is 2020’s Coachella.
Day Use reservations will also be available two days in advance at 7 a.m. PT on a rolling daily window. Example: On June 13th, reservations will be available for June 15th; on June 14th reservations will be available for June 16th.
For more info and to purchase tickets: https://www.recreation.gov/ticket/facility/300015
Dog Parks
All City of Fresno dog parks are open starting June 15.
Social distancing must be followed and no group congregation allowed.
Masks are required within the dog park.
That’s just some of the noteworthy places opening up in Fresno. If, and it’s possibly a big if, Fresno
Fresno County COVID-19 Updates
Chart from Fresno County Department of Public Health
As of June 12, the most recent data available at the time of writing, there have been a total of 2,478 (+398 from last week) total confirmed cases and 52 (+9 from last week) deaths in Fresno County. A total of 758 people have recovered and 258 have ever been hospitalized.
One reported death was of a health care worker at a nursing home, the first reported death at a skilled nursing facility. 49 of the deaths in Fresno County has been at Dycora Transitional Health & Living-Fresno.
From Fresno interim health officer Dr. Rais Vohra:
“We need people to understand that we want safety to be foremost in everyone’s mind. We’re hoping we have a community that wants to do the right thing.”
Numbers are expected to rise again after the numerous protests against police brutality. Despite two weeks already passing, no signs of a spike yet.
Testing is available around Fresno. Visit lhi.care to set up an appointment. It’s free even without insurance. If you have insurance, you can also try these other testing sites here.
There is also a free COVID-19 pop-up site in West Fresno today only.
Westside Church of God
1422 W. California Avenue, Fresno, 93706
8 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Fresno City Council Launches Police Reform Commission & Discusses City Budget for 2021
On Thursday, the council approved a commission that will report back their recommendations within 90 days.
On Tuesday before the launch, the public had the chance to voice their concerns about the police budget. This included comments from the Fresno State NAACP, which led the Black Lives Matter protest in Downtown on May 31. There was also an online eComment form for the public. Most of them calling for defunding Fresno Police Department, like the rest of the country are asking of their police departments. Here are some of the comments.
Also here is my favorite one and as much as I want to defund the police, this is a compromise I can get behind:
Being beaten by police in style would really take the sting off being beaten by the police.
The commission will be led by former Councilmember and former police officer Oliver Baines.
The formation of the council was headed by Mayor Lee Brand with Councilmembers Esmeralda Soria and Luis Chavez.
Uspark Valley shares some skepticism with Oliver Baines heading the commission and if the commission will take bold actions that the community needs.
Someone also said the N-word on the Fresno City Council Zoom call during public comment. He was quickly muted and kicked.
Here is the schedule for the developing budget for the city:
Other issues are yet to still determined like how the $92.8M in federal coronavirus money the city received will be spent. Make sure to make your voice heard!
Quick Hits
Here are some stories around Fresno of note for y’all to dive into:
Fresno Unified increases funding to keep police on campus, despite cries to defund, Fresno Bee
Fresno, Clovis Districts Investigate Racist Incidents Involving Student, Staff, GV Wire
What It's Like To Raise Black Children In The San Joaquin Valley, Valley Public Radio
Chef Paul’s Cafe was featured on Buzzfeed as one of the 30 Must-Try Black-Owned Restaurants In America. Don’t forget to support our Black-owned businesses!
Week 3 down!
That’s it for the third issue of this newsletter! Hello to all the people I asked on Instagram to join. Thank you so much for reading. Please let me know what you think. Like literally anything, the choice of stories, the writing, the format, how the emails look, A N Y T H I N G. I would love feedback and want readers to be involved in the creation of this. Just DM me on Insta or email contact@fivebyfivenine.com
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Please and thank you <3 I’ll see y’all next week!
-Ram <3
REST IN POWER: Dominique “Rem’mie” Fells and Riah Milton
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