Newsom details 4 stages to reopen California businesses: 'We are weeks not months away'

Gov. Gavin Newsom discusses an outline for what it will take to lift coronavirus restrictions during a news conference at the Governor's Office of Emergency Services in Rancho Cordova, Calif., Tuesday, April 14, 2020. Newsom said he won't loosen the state's mandatory stay-at-home order until hospitalizations, particularly those in intensive care units, "flatten and start to decline." (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli, Pool) less Gov. Gavin Newsom discusses an outline for what it will take to lift coronavirus restrictions during a news conference at the Governor's Office of Emergency Services in Rancho Cordova, Calif., Tuesday, April ... more Photo: Rich Pedroncelli / Associated Press Photo: Rich Pedroncelli / Associated Press Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close Newsom details 4 stages to reopen California businesses: 'We are weeks not months away' 1 / 1 Back to Gallery

For more coverage, visit our complete coronavirus section here.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom provided a road map Tuesday for how the state will reopen businesses, schools and childcare facilities with a "phased and thoughtful approach" to support social distancing and prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

He said modifications to the stay-at-home order will occur in four distinct stages, and while specific dates weren't provided, he said "we are weeks, not months away" from making changes if the spread of the coronavirus continues to decline.

Offering more clues into the timeline, Newsom said the state is currently in Stage 1 and will be at Stage 2 within weeks. Stage 4, which marks the return of mass gatherings, is months away.

Here's a rundown of the four stages:

Stage 1

California is currently in Stage 1: People are staying home except for essential workers such as health care and grocery workers.

To prepare for the next stage, the state is building testing and contact-tracing programs and equipping hospitals with PPE to prepare for potential surges in patients.

Stage 2

In this stage, schools, summer programs, childcare facilities and low-risk businesses will reopen with adaptations and modifications to promote social distancing.

Newsom suggested the school year may start in late July or early August due to the learning loss that has occurred during the school closures.

"Our kids have lost a lot with this disruptions," Newsom said. "My wife and I have four kids. I'm not naive. There has been a lot of learning loss. You can either roll over and not doing anything or you can do something."

Dr. Sonia Angell Angel, director of the California Department of Public Health, said retail may be allowed to reopen with curbside pickup and non-essential manufacturing for products such as clothing and toys could restart. She also said offices where teleworking isn't possible and where social distancing is possible can reopen. This includes public relations and consulting firms.

The reopening of open spaces such as parks and trails also occurs in this stage. Also, counties can choose to relax stricter local orders at their own pace.

Stage 3

In this stage high-risk work places will reopen. Newsom said those include: personal care (hair and nail salons, gyms), entertainment venues (movie theaters, sports without live audiences) and in-person religious services (churches, weddings).

Stage 4

This marks the end of the stay-at-home order and reopening of the highest-risk parts of the economy including concerts, convention centers and live audience sports events. Newsom said this stage will be implemented when therapeutics to treat patient infected with COVID-19 have been developed.

Newsom reiterated the state is monitoring six indicators to guide its decision to modify the stay-at-home order and these indicators will be consulted before the state moves into each stage. Those include 1.) increased testing and contact tracing; 2.) systems for protecting the most vulnerable populations such as seniors; 3.) ensuring hospitals are equipped to handle a patient surge; 4.) engaging research partners to develop therapeutics; 5.) issuing new social distancing guidelines for businesses, schools and childcare facilities; and 6.) developing the capacity to reinstate new orders when necessary.

Newsom said politics, protests and political pressure will not drive the state's decision to reopen and instead he'll be looking at data and science.

"I know we're all ready for life to go back to normal," he said. "But it's unbelievably important we re-open our economy in a scientific, thoughtful way — guided by public health. Our stores will look different. Offices will operate differently. But we will be healthier."

California has been under a mandatory stay-at-home order since March 19. But the virus has been disrupting the state since January, when people from all over the world were first sent to quarantine at California military bases.

MORE CORONAVIRUS COVERAGE:

Sign up for 'The Daily' newsletter for the latest on coronavirus here.

Amy Graff is a digital editor with SFGATE. Email her: agraff@sfgate.com.