Chico's exposure reduction program

Officials are engaging with businesses to ensure safety and health for employees and the community.

The city of chico is working to get local businesses - back to business.

Action news now reporter christina vitale is live in downtown chico.

Christinaãi understand the city is starting a new precaution program.

How does it work?

Officials say they're engaging with businesses like shubert's who are open and already taking extra safety preacautions& you can see this caution tape on the benches outside, and tape on the ground reminding people to stay 6 feet apart& owner kasey reynolds says her shop is now a take-away eatery& so people can come in take their ice cream to go or curb- side pick up.

Reynolds says she feels the new program will give businesses a guideline on how to operate in a safe manner.

We were already adhering by all those things but i did re-go back through the letter and make sure we are adhering to everything that's on there and just make sure i do a double to check make sure we've been practicing for quite a while we reduced our hours we're not here as much we reduced our staff so we are not as confined and we are limiting how many people can come into the store at one time.

Reynolds says the program will give businesses looking to re- open now check list of recommended safety measures to follow.

Some elements of the program include & increasing sanitation at the businesses, protecting employee health like allowing people to work from home when sick and separating work spaces.

Also having signs posted outside of businesses reminding people to practice social distancing live in chico christina vitale action news now coverage you can count on.## the assistant city manager says chico is seeing positive results from businesses following cdc guidelines so far.##