The State of California is allowing  Riverside County to move into the Orange Tier of the state’s reopening framework on Wednesday April 7th 2021. The move is based on meeting a statewide goal to administer 4 million vaccines in disadvantaged communities, and the subsequent loosening of the case rate threshold to move into the Orange Tier.  Devastating restrictions placed on people and businesses by Governor Gavin Newsom in 2020, will be loosened in the Orange Tier.

More people can go inside to eat at restaurants or worship at their place of worship…which the government has denied them from doing for months on end.  Bars will also reopen outdoors for the first time since June 2020.

But for some people who have been laid off for more than one year, and for businesses that are no longer in business, the Orange Tier is coming too late to be of any benefit to them.

“We continue to make real progress with combating COVID-19 and the impacts on our businesses and communities,” said Board Chair Karen Spiegel, Second District Supervisor. “Cases have been steadily declining, vaccine supply is improved, and today the state announced ending the color-coded Tier system June 15th 2021. These are extremely positive signs that Riverside County continues to move forward and recover.”

Retail businesses may increase capacity to 100 percent indoors. Places of worship, movie theaters, restaurants, as well as museums, zoos and aquariums may increase indoor capacity to 50 percent with modifications. Gyms, as well as wineries, breweries and distilleries may increase indoor capacity to 25 percent indoors with modifications.

Starting April 15th, meetings, receptions and conferences are allowed indoors up to 150, if all guests are tested or fully vaccinated.

Riverside County’s Covid-19 cases have been steadily declining for several weeks. The county’s current daily case rate is 3.5 per 100,000 people, the percentage of positive tests is 2 percent.

Riverside County will need to remain in the Orange Tier for a minimum of three weeks and meet the Yellow Tier metrics for two of those weeks before being allowed to enter the yellow tier.  Visit the state’s blueprint website for more information and modifications at https://covid19.ca.gov/safer-economy/.

To continue the decline in cases and advance into future reopening tiers, all residents are urged to get vaccinated, test regularly and wear a mask. Visit www.rivcoph.org/COVID-19-Vaccine-with-Registration to make a vaccination appointment. Appointments are now open to all Riverside County adults and the Pfizer vaccine is available for residents 16 years and up.

To get tested for COVID-19, visit GetTested.ruhealth.org  to make an appointment. Other testing options can be found online at: https://covid19.ca.gov/get-tested/.

For more information on business industry guidance and modifications to reopen safely, visit https://covid19.ca.gov/industry-guidance/.

 

 

 

Orange citrus fruit

Photo by Alpha Media USA Portland OR