SAN DIEGO (KGTV)— As the heat wave continues across San Diego County, businesses operating outside are forced to deal with another challenge during this pandemic.
While the county has been removed from the state’s monitoring list, no guidance on reopening businesses has been provided, so many continue to work outside.
“It’s super-hot,” said Elise Ha, owner of Master Hair & Nails in Ramona. By noon the temperature had reached over 100 degrees, causing discomfort for employees, and slowing down her business.
“Not everybody can handle the heat,” she said “It’s brutal.”
Ha said working in the heat is a new struggle businesses are facing, especially having to move equipment back and forth to set up outside every day.
“I almost fainted because of the heat,” she said. “I can’t wait to back inside.”
For now she's using wet towels to cool down and offering cold water to clients.
ABC 10News spotted utility workers in Alpine using umbrellas to shield themselves from the scorching sun as temperatures continued to climb Tuesday.
The high heat and humidity is making things uncomfortable across the county and the dry fuel causing concerns of fire danger, still some are managing to get by.
“We still get a rush,” said Carlos Legaspi, a cook at Tapatio Mexican Grill in Alpine. “We get a lot of city workers and construction workers and stuff that come in for lunch.”
Legaspi said the restaurant owners moved tables outdoors before it was required by the state as a safety precaution.
While it may be uncomfortable currently, he said things have been running smoothly and the employees have adapted to the changes.
“It’s super hot, it’s like 100 degrees right now,” he said before noon Tuesday. “People are kind of used to it now.”
As the heat wave continues, SDG&E is urging everyone to limit energy use to avoid power outages.
You can do your part by turning off unnecessary lights, precooling your home early in the day, and setting your thermostat to 78 degrees or higher in the afternoon.
