PUBLISHED: May 22, 2020 at 5:10 p.m.

The city of Big Bear Lake will no longer enforce the governor's stay-at-home orders and is letting closed businesses decide when they're ready to reopen.

After 10 weeks of business closures and restrictions on residents, the novel coronavirus is manageable in the city, but it's caused "significant and continuing economic and social harm," according to a city newsletter. Tourism-dependent businesses have been especially harmed, officials say.

"We're relying on our businesses, our residents and our visitors to be responsible, to be safe, to make good decisions and to take responsibility for their own actions," City Manager Frank Rush said.

On Thursday, May 21, the City Council, including Mayor Rick Herrick, who has recovered from the disease caused by the virus, agreed to stop enforcing and communicating state orders, instead referring businesses to the governor's guidelines for reopening safely.

City officials still encourage social distancing, face coverings and good hygiene.

Businesses and residents should take responsibility for their own actions and should thoughtfully consider the governor's orders and associated risks, including health, legal, financial and licensing, the city says. Some businesses are at risk of losing state licenses if they reopen against the state orders, city officials warn.

The announcement is a major shift from the city's calls earlier in the coronavirus outbreak for visitors to stay away. Mountain residents were concerned tourists would spread the disease and overwhelm the local health care system. https://www.sbsun.com/2020/05/22/big-bear-lake-says-it-wont-enforce-governors-coronavirus-orders/