Newsom's office has faced strong criticism for refraining to divulge details about the contract for quite some time now, but it's the latest move to deny a public records request is likely to stir up more suspicions. According to the Los Angeles Times, Newsom's office claims disclosing details about the deal with BYD (Build Your Dreams) could negatively impact the delivery of masks.

Spilling the beans on the agreement even before performance under the contract is carried out would lead to unnecessary and considerable risk to the State’s ability to acquire the much-needed supplies, Ryan Gronsky, who serves as an attorney with the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services told the Times.

Back in April, Newsom told MSNBC's Rachel Maddow that Sacramento had made a deal to purchase 200 million masks every month, which was a noteworthy haul at the time considering skyrocketing demands for protective gears worldwide. Speaking to reported the next day, Newsom said the state is capable of doling out hundreds of millions, which is why it has decided to do something big and bold.

Democratic state Assemblyman Richard Bloom, who is a budget committee member said details of the BYD deal are questionable. According to the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services, it is not imperative to make the contract public.

A statement said that the agency claims that all responsive records are exempt from disclosure. This comprises exemptions for records showing attorney work product, attorney-client privileged information, as well as various other information, exempts from disclosure under state or federal law.

Meanwhile, Newsom slammed two Northern California counties for ignoring his health guidelines and beginning to re-open public places such as gyms, shopping malls, dining rooms, and hair salon, Mercury News reported. Speaking about Yuba and Sutter counties, Newsom said they are making a big mistake.

Moreover, he accused them of putting the public, as well as the state's progress at risk. While a large number of Californians are following the rules, Yuba and Sutter's counties are exceptions, Newsom said. Local communities have been opposing Newsom and state public health leaders’ restriction orders while coronavirus continues to tighten its grip on the state and the rest of the nation.

Newsom is leaving no stone unturned in a bid to strike a perfect balance between restricting the spread of the virus and governing a state with 40 million residents and completely contrasting economies, politics, and the impact of COVID-19.