After more than a year of being restricted, businesses in Orange County, California, began resuming normal operations June 15 as the state reopened.
“Having our biggest businesses closed down for a year had a devastating impact on hotels, restaurants, shops, [and] many smaller businesses,” Anaheim spokesperson Mike Lyster told The Epoch Times. “This is a very big milestone, but a very well-done milestone for them to get back to really largely normal operations.
“You will see a gradual increase, including an increase today, [but] it’s not a flip of a switch overnight.”
With most pandemic restrictions, such as social distancing and capacity limits being lifted, businesses have the autonomy to decide whether masks will be required from store patrons.
Local grocery stores, including Albertsons and Ralphs, are no longer requiring vaccinated guests to wear masks.
Similarly, Planet Fitness is lifting its mask mandate for vaccinated members. Conversely, LA Fitness is continuing to require masks for all members.
A few fitness centers, including Pure Barre Pilates studio in Rancho Santa Margarita, are allowing inoculated members to shed their masks with proof of vaccination.
Despite stating that nonvaccinated residents must wear masks, many stores and gyms are abiding by the honor system and not requiring proof of vaccination.
Some local restaurant workers said they’re still requiring guests to wear masks until they are fully seated. But while some restaurants are opening their indoor space at full capacity, others are still limiting their operations.
A manager at Avila’s El Ranchito in Laguna Beach said the restaurant will continue limiting capacity despite the statewide reopening.
