KPBS is checking in with smaller communities outside of the San Diego metro area to see how they're being impacted by COVID-19. Françoise Rhodes, the executive director of the Borrego Springs Chamber of Commerce and Visitors' Bureau, said the small desert resort town is in the middle of its busy spring tourism season. In the early days of the state's stay-at-home orders, Borrego Springs saw an uptick in visitors which forced the town to take action.
"When we saw all this happening, I think it surprised a lot of the locals because we assumed everybody else was going to be on lockdown, quarantine, staying home trying to stay safe," said Rhodes. "But instead, they were coming out to these outer areas. So we immediately had to implement stricter rules. We had our weekend of art that was canceled. We had the home tours that were canceled. Everyone loves our farmers market. That was canceled."
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Borrego Springs is in regular contact with the San Diego County Board of Supervisors for updates on COVID-19 cases and guidance on stay-at-home orders. Rhodes said adherence is more critical in small, isolated communities like Borrego Springs because medical facilities and other resources are limited.
"It's not that we didn't want the visitors here," said Rhodes. "What we found out is we do not have the infrastructure should there be a widespread pandemic right here in our area. People have to go either to San Diego or the Coachella Valley, which is over an hour away for them."
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In addition to non-essential business closures, many tourist attractions and parks are off-limits to visitors. The mild weather in the spring has blunted what is usually a busy season for Borrego Springs.
"And we ultimately had to close the statues as well, the Galleta Meadows statues where people come from all over the world to see these," said Rhodes. "They're spread out all over the desert, but we were getting masses of people just to see those while they were open."
Like cities big and small across the nation, Borrego Springs is anticipating a return to normal when experts and public officials say it's safe to reopen businesses and ease social distancing guidelines.
"We can't wait for this to be over," said Rhodes. "We truly miss you all but we have to stay safe here just like you have to stay safe at your homes. We do appreciate the fact now that you aren't coming to Borrego Springs. As soon as we can open our arms and welcome you we will get the word out. We truly thank everybody for respecting what we have here."
The Borrego Springs Chamber of commerce is keeping track of what's open, and what's closed during the stay-at-home order. You can follow the updates at borregospringschamber.com.
