On May 7, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced in a press conference that the state was moving into Stage Two of a four-stage plan for reopening California that he had put forth only the prior week.

He characterized this transition — which he previously said could be weeks in the offing — as a switch from dividing businesses into essential versus nonessential into dividing nonessential businesses into lower risk (e.g., curbside retail sales) and higher risk (e.g., large indoor gatherings). He also announced the basic standards that counties will have to meet if they wish to move at a faster pace in reopening than the rest of the state.

Originally published in Law360 - May 20, 2020.