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Reopening California – Phase 2

Wondering how California entering Phase 2 of reopening will affect you? Here are a few things to know and expect during this time. 

California Reopening = More Businesses Reopen

At a high level, the main thing to know is that more and more businesses are opening back up. There are three main types of businesses in the beginning part of Phase 2:

  • Manufacturers
  • Retailers
  • Warehouses

Why just these types of companies? Because 70% of the state’s economy relies on them! Think about it – manufacturers in California provide goods for the entire world, retailers sell those goods to the millions and millions of Californians and warehouses are needed to store the goods produced here. 

As time goes on, more types of businesses will open up. We’ll see office environments open back up. Restaurants will be able to have seated patrons again, not just takeout orders. Shopping malls will reopen. 

This is great news for millions and millions of Californians. Not only will they be able to go back to work and provide for their families again, but they’ll also get back to some kind of normalcy. 

However, things won’t be exactly as they were 3 months ago. 

California Phase 2: Changes to Expect

Even though all of these businesses are opening back up, you can still expect to see some new behaviors:

Social Distancing – Every business, from retailers to restaurants, are going to encourage social distancing. For example, retailers are enforcing this by marking spots on the ground so customers stand 6 feet apart at the checkout counter. Restaurants will either space out tables to be at least 6 feet apart, or only have a portion of the tables available for seating. 

Personal Protection – Employees will be required to wear protection. Masks will be the most common, followed by gloves. Some employers will go an extra step or two, such as having their employees wear safety glasses. 

Temperatures – Some employers are going to ask employees to have their temperature taken when they get to work. A fever is one of the most consistent symptoms of the coronavirus, so employers are trying to catch anyone infected before it spreads to other employees or customers. 

Sanitization – Grocery stores have been doing this for a while now, and the practices are going to spread to other businesses. Employees will be required to regularly wipe down surfaces with things like Lysol spray or disinfecting wipes. Everything from doorknobs to Keurig coffee machines will be on the to-do list.

Limited Store Capacity – This is another one some retailers have been doing for a while. They’ll track how many customers are in the store at a time, and stop allowing more customers once a limit is reached. 

California Reopening Phase 2: Do Your Part

As businesses start to reopen, do what you can to be a good citizen yourself. Some people are going to stores and restaurants without masks on. Even though some stores may allow it, that will be looked down upon for a while. Wear a mask to help prevent the spread of this virus. 

Try to be a patron to small businesses in your community. That doesn’t mean you should entirely ignore your favorite chain restaurant, but a meal or two at a mom-and-pop restaurant that’s been closed for 2 months will help your community more than going to a big chain. 

Starting to see the beginnings of California reopening is exciting but we will face many challenges. If one challenge you face is the need for better insurance, please reach out! We’d love to help. 

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Spring Cleaning Tips to Avoid Home Insurance Claims

Are you and your family in the spring-cleaning mood? You’ve probably already started on clearing out your closets and decluttering your rooms, but what about the lesser-thought-of chores, like cleaning out your gutters and checking for any damage? If you want to keep your home in good shape and prevent any future insurance claims, take a look at these 6 spring cleaning tips.

 

  • Check your HVAC

 

After a winter where you probably used your home’s heater pretty consistently, it’s important to check and change your HVAC filters to prevent a build-up of dust. Not properly maintaining a clean HVAC can result in physical illnesses, a higher energy bill, and a shortened life-span of the entire appliance. Make sure this is one of the first spring-cleaning chores on your list to help keep a healthy home and a happy family.

 

  • Repair your driveway

 

Cracked sidewalks and driveways, broken bricks and stones, or holes in your yard can be a tripping hazard that could potentially cause injury to you, your family, or your guests. To avoid paying out-of-pocket for someone else’s medical bills, keep an eye out for any tripping hazards. Similarly, watch out for any loose nails or screws on your deck that could have been exposed by rotting wood. It’s easy to forget to look at the floor, but doing so could protect your loved ones from some painful injuries!

 

  • Watch out for the windows

 

If an earthquake or other weather-related event hit your home in the past, it’s possible that your windows and doors were harmed in the process. Double check the caulking and seams around your windows and doors for any cracks. If cracks are present, moisture could be entering your home and causing damage to your walls, ceilings, floors, and appliances. This damage could show up in the form of insurance claims and home repair bills, so catching it early is essential.

 

  • Replace the batteries in your smoke & carbon monoxide detectors

 

Every 6 months or so, mark your calendars to check the batteries in your home’s smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. While these likely go unnoticed during the year, it can be incredibly damaging to your home if they are not functioning properly in times of need. Instead of being oblivious when real damage is being caused to your home, make a point to switch out these batteries every spring and fall and help protect your family from danger.

 

  • Clear out your gutters

 

While we may not have traditional falls and winters in Orange County, our home’s gutters are still susceptible to becoming clogged with leaves and other debris collected throughout the year. If clogged, even the few showers of rain we receive in Southern California can back up your gutters, causing overflows and potential water damage to your home’s roof. Clean these out at least every spring, if not more, to help prevent making any insurance claims on a damaged roof!

  1. Keep an eye out on your home’s roof and walls

Similarly, any number of things can occur and cause potential water damage to your home’s exterior. If you notice water stains on your walls and ceilings or see any sagging spots on your roof, it’s likely your home has water damage and needs repairing immediately. Also keep an eye out for missing shingles, holes in the siding, or signs of damage caused by critters.

If you’re hoping to avoid paying a high repair bill or filing an insurance claim for damages, keep these 6 chores in mind when making your spring-cleaning to-do lists, and click here to receive a quote on our homeowner’s insurance policies. If you do happen to notice any damage on your home incurred over the last few seasons, give our team at Partners Direct a call and we’ll be happy to assist you with any insurance issues you have.

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