Contra Costa County Moved to Red Tier
Due to the continued increase in cases in Contra Costa County, the California Department of Public Health has moved the county back into the red tier of the State of California’s Blueprint for a Safer Economy.
Both state and county officials have expressed concern about the rise in numbers across the Bay Area. Last week, Contra Costa Health Services rolled back some areas of the health order in anticipation of the move back to the red tier. Those changes included:
- Outdoor bars prohibited (except where allowed under restaurant guidance with drinks as part of a meal)
- Indoor dining allowed at a maximum of 25% occupancy or 100 people, whichever is fewer (down from 50% occupancy and 200 people)
- Indoor movie theaters can operate at a maximum 25% of occupancy or 100 people, whichever is fewer (down from 50% occupancy or 200 people)
- Religious services indoors allowed at a maximum 25% occupancy or 100 people, whichever is fewer (down from 50% occupancy or 200 people)
- Cardrooms and satellite wagering sites can’t operate indoors (they previously could operate indoors at 25% capacity)
Moving back to the red tier, those changes remain and the following additional changes will take effect on Friday November 13, 2020.
- Retail stores that operate indoors must scale back their maximum occupancy to 50% or 100 people, whichever is lower.
- Indoor shopping malls must reduce their occupancy and reduce the occupancy of food courts to 25% or 100 people, whichever is fewer.
- Office workspaces must operate remotely.
- Higher education institutions must keep indoor lectures and student gatherings to 25% occupancy or 100 people, whichever is fewer.
- Gyms and fitness centers must scale back their indoor occupancies to 10%.
- Communal indoor pools must close.
- Indoor family entertainment centers, such as bowling alleys, must close their indoor operations. Amusement parks cannot operate.
- Most live outdoor theatrical, musical or artistic performances are prohibited.
Data from Contra Costa County shows a continued rise in new cases and hospitalizations. Residents are urged to continue to practice social distancing and wear facial coverings. Following the health order guidelines will help in slowing and reversing the increase in cases.
The tier change does not affect the ability of schools to reopen for in-person instruction, following state and local health guidelines. Outdoor playgrounds may also remain open.
What can I do to help my county move forward to the next tier?
- Wear a mask or face covering in public
- Wash your hands regularly
- Keep at least six feet of physical distance in public
- Limit or avoid mixing with people you don’t live with
More information on the health order and current COVID-19 cases can be found at www.cchealth.org/coronavirus .