COVID-19 Milestone
It’s been a long time coming. The milestone all Canyon Lakers have been waiting for arrived on Tuesday when the state moved Beyond the Blueprint and fully reopened the state’s economy.
“Everyday life will feel a lot like before COVID-19,” the state said in announcing the change. “Restaurants, shopping malls, movie theaters, and most everyday places will be open as normal with no capacity limits or social distancing required. The county tier system will also be eliminated entirely.”
With the restrictions lifted except in unique settings, most of which do not exist in Canyon Lake, the city and the Canyon Lake POA are signaling a return to pre-COVID-19 activities and events.
“The city is very excited that life is starting to return to normal,” City Manager Chris Mann said. “As of June 15, all businesses within the city are able to operate at full capacity and without social distancing requirements. Likewise, the indoor and outdoor events we’ve been missing over the past year in Canyon Lake may resume without limitations. The mask mandate goes away for everyone who is vaccinated. Unvaccinated individuals are still required to wear masks indoors.”
Likewise, the Canyon Lake POA, which has adhered strictly to mandated restrictions throughout the pandemic, is back in the entertainment business.
“In consideration of the new health order, the Canyon Lake POA will be moving forward with planning regularly-scheduled activities and events,” the POA said in a press release this week. “Additionally, masks will now be optional for vaccinated individuals at all Canyon Lake POA facilities and amenities.”
Another milestone in Canyon Lake will be the elimination of publishing in The Friday Flyer the latest COVID-19 data for Canyon Lake. “COVID-19 Watch” will publish for the final time in this week’s Friday Flyer. Infections in Canyon Lake are almost non-existent and the last death was over a month ago. The chart has consistently shown Canyon Lake as one of the least infected cities in the county, per capita. The latest statistics show Canyon Lake just shy of 1,000 COVID-19 cases.
“Canyon Lake has navigated these challenges better than most,” Chris said. “Our infection and death rates have remained on the low end of the spectrum, and our local economy has been exceptionally resilient.”
Cal/OSHA is expected to issue revised regulations this week addressing the responsibilities of employers related to protecting employees from COVID-19 in the workplace, Chris said.
“It is very likely the mask mandate will go away completely for vaccinated employees, but those who are unvaccinated will be required to wear masks,” he said. “The city will be legally obligated to implement the new Cal/OSHA regulations within city facilities and when interacting with the public out in the community.”
With the Canyon Lake POA returning to scheduling community activities and events, the summer calendar will begin to fill in again. First up will be the Independence Day celebration and Fireworks Show.
Finally, after multiple postponements, the Canyon Lake Concerts at the Lodge will return. The state’s restrictions for indoor events are limited to those that have at least 5,000 in attendance. A few hundred attend the concerts. The concerts on the current calendar now appear to be a solid “go.”
Club events will also return. All Canyon Lake facilities will open without social distancing requirements.
Mask wearing requirements for those with vaccinations will only be implemented for uniquely vulnerable settings and will follow CDC guidance, the state said. Masks will still be required for these settings, such as hospitals, long-term care facilities, homeless shelters, and public transit.
“As we begin to put COVID-19 in our rearview, I would like to commend our residents and business owners for the way they handled this pandemic,” Chris said. “Striking a balance between keeping each other safe and protecting our way of life was not always easy.”
Chris points out that Canyon Lake is emerging from the pandemic with the lowest unemployment rate in the entire county at just 3.9%. Sales tax revenue has rebounded, he said, and property values have gone up dramatically.
“The city has done all we can to support our local businesses and to continue providing quality services to our residents,” Chris said. “While city offices were closed to the public for several months, city operations were fully functional throughout the pandemic. All staff reported to work each day, and services were provided to residents by phone, email, video conferencing, social media and through the city’s website. Public participation in City Council meetings was encouraged and was made possible virtually.
“Although I am proud of how our community adjusted to meet the challenges of the past year,” Chris said, “everyone at City Hall is ecstatic to be getting back to normal.”