PASADENA (CNS) - The California Department of Public Health declined to consider Pasadena's request to have local control over its reopening process, city officials said today.
Gov. Gavin Newsom indicated that local health jurisdictions could apply for a variance to Stage Two re-opening requirements, which would allow them to possibly open restaurants or allow drive-thru graduations with certain criteria met, Derderian said.
However, the California Department of Health would not consider Pasadena's request, saying only requests from counties will be considered.
Pasadena is seeking clarification on the rules in hopes it can obtain a variance, according to Derderian.
Without a variance, Pasadena is required to follow Los Angeles County's reopening guidelines.
“We are capable and confident of insuring adherence to all state requirements. We believe it is important to provide the latitude to exercise our local authority that the governor has conferred by his executive order,'' said Pasadena Public Health Director Dr. Ying-Ying Goh.
“Therefore, we are respectfully requesting revisions to the COVID-19 Variance Attestation Form be made to allow for local control.''