The Natural Products Association, a Washington, D.C. based trade association representing the nutritional industry, recently wrote a letter to California Governor Gavin Newsom requesting that health food stores (retailers specializing in dietary supplements and functional foods and beverages) be allowed to continue their operations in the midst of a tentative increase in COVID-19 lockdown measures.
 
The governor announced plans to issue a more restrictive stay-at-home order in the event that hospitals fall below a 15% ICU threshold in one of five regions in the state, which would trigger a lockdown period of three weeks similar to that seen in many states at the start of the pandemic. During the initial peak of COVID-19 cases in the spring, dietary supplement retailers and supply chain facilities did remain open in California, amid mounting concerns from several within the industry that these stores would be barred from operation if not deemed “essential businesses.”
 
As of now, it appears that the new stay-at-home order, if triggered, would allow indoor retail operations to remain open at 20% capacity, with entrance metering and no eating or drinking in the stores. Additionally, special hours would have to be instituted for seniors and others with chronic conditions or compromised immune systems.
 
“At a time when California is experiencing a spiked increase in new COVID-19 cases, it is important that we continue to reinforce the importance of health-first policies,” Daniel Fabricant, PhD, president and CEO of NPA said in a letter to Newsom. “Over the past year, we have learned a lot about the novel virus, COVID-19. The more research that has been invested into learning about those who contract the virus, the more we have seen underlying health issues have played a role in infection […] At a time when there is heightened focus on health and wellness, it’s important that industry is available to provide the public with products that will help them maintain their health or supplement  their diets to improve potentially deficient diets.”
 
“Over the past eight months, our businesses have done a tremendous job complying with state, local, and federal guidance to keep their employees and customers safe,” Fabricant said in a separate statement. “Our businesses will continue to provide essential services to millions of Americans as we enter the next stage of this pandemic.”