Just today, Governor Newsom ordered a second shutdown of indoor businesses amid concerns over the spread of COVID-19. That includes indoor dining at restaurants. However, he still allows outdoor dining and shopping to continue. Why? This facilitates social distancing much easier than the confines of indoors. So, the local experiment known as Main Street Moves Ventura appears to continue through until its end date of July 16th.

What: Main Street Moves Ventura
Where: Downtown Ventura, Main St between Fir & Palm and California St between Santa Clara & Poli
When: 7 am to 10 pm every day between now and July 16th, 2020

Main Street Moves Ventura

On June 16th, five blocks in the downtown Ventura area shut down their streets to vehicular traffic. This allowed businesses in the area to expand out onto the sidewalks and streets in an effort to accommodate customers while still allowing for social distancing requirements. These blocks allow for foot and bicycle traffic from 7 am to 10 pm daily.

In addition to shopping at your favorite stores outdoors, restaurants allow dining al fresco. Of course, takeout is still available at many places if you feel more comfortable doing that instead.

Health and Safety

Restaurants and shops must adhere to state, federal, and CDC guidelines during this time to remain open. That means that employees and guests must always wear a mask. The only exceptions to that rule are if you have a medical or mental condition that prevents you from wearing a mask. Also, hearing-impaired people or anyone who needs to communicate with a hearing-impaired person does not need to wear a mask. Basically, if a person must be able to see another person’s mouth in order to communicate, they do not need to wear a mask at that time.

Of course, when you eat or drink at a restaurant, you don’t need to wear a mask either. But that’s where a six foot distance from others becomes necessary. Outdoor activities such as swimming, running, hiking, bicycling, etc., do not require the use of masks. Again, maintain that six foot distance from others in your vicinity while engaged in outdoor activities.

Dave & Pat Zumbrun, your Ventura County real estate specialists