New Guidelines Let More Businesses​ Reopen In Contra Costa County

CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CA — Contra Costa County on Monday updated its coronavirus health orders to match those of the state of California, thereby allowing several previously closed businesses to reopen. The new order is set to take effect on Wednesday.

Under the updated health order, close-contact personal care services — not including tattoos, piercings or nonemdical electrolysis — can now be conducted outdoors. The order also allows racetracks and cardrooms to reopen for outdoor business.

In a news release, the county said music, television and film production can also resume in the county, and professional sports can again be played as long as spectators are not in attendance in-person.

Statewide requirements like those requiring that masks be worn in public still apply in Contra Costa County and across California.

The county said its health department will continue to monitor cases of the new coronavirus, hospitalizations and deaths to determine whether some restrictions should be re-implemented.

The county is currently in California's purple tier, indicating the virus is widespread in the county. The release states when data shows an improvement over two weeks, it will move into the red tier and some restrictions will be implemented, allowing more businesses to reopen.

In an effort to bolster overall public health, residents are encouraged to get vaccinated against the flu and get tested for the coronavirus at a free community testing site.