Contra Costa County Moves To Orange Tier: What To Know

CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CA — Come Wednesday, Contra Costans can once again go to movie theaters, attend indoor services at places of worship, dine indoors and even have a drink (outdoors) at a bar.

That is because Contra Costa County is moving to the less restrictive Orange Tier of the State’s Blueprint for a Safer Economy.

The last time Contra Costa qualified for the Orange Tier was five months ago.

"This is great news for our community," County Supervisor Diane Burgis said Tuesday in a news release. "The last few months have been difficult for everyone and it’s nice to see us make more progress in the fight against COVID."

Starting April 7, the following business sectors and community services can reopen or expand capacity in Contra Costa County:

• Amusement parks: Overall park capacity and indoor capacity will be limited to 25%, including indoor dining.
• Bars: Outdoors with modifications; no meals required to be served
• Breweries, Distilleries and Wineries: Indoors at 25% maximum capacity or 100 people, whichever is fewer; no meals required to be served
• Family entertainment centers: Indoors for naturally distanced activities like bowling, escape rooms, and billiards; 25% maximum capacity
• Gyms, fitness centers and studios (including at hotels): 25% maximum capacity and indoor pools are permitted; Indoor hot tubs, saunas, and steam rooms continue to be closed
• Movie Theaters: 50% maximum capacity or 200 people, whichever is fewer encouraged
• Outdoor sports and live performances with fans/attendees: Up to 33% and with advanced reservations only. Concession sales will be primarily in-seat (no concourse sales). Designated indoor seated dining area capacity will be limited to 25%. Attendance will be limited to in-state spectators and guests must attest their reserved seats are only for one household.
• Places of worship: 50% maximum capacity
• Restaurants: 50% maximum capacity or 200 people, whichever is fewer
• Retail: Open indoors with modifications and food courts permitted with indoor dining restrictions

SEE ALSO: CA To Fully Reopen June 15; 16 Counties Move Tiers

Contra Costa Health Officer Dr. Chris Farnitano said Tuesday that people should not let their guard down yet, noting that rates have plateaued recently which suggests a slowdown in the recovery.

Contra Costa currently has a COVID case rate of 4.9 per 100,000 people, an overall testing-rate positivity of 1.8 percent, and 3 percent when it comes to its health equity metric.

"We are still in a pandemic and people should continue to act accordingly: Keep wearing masks in public and get vaccinated as soon as you can," Farnitano said. "I still strongly recommend people to avoid most indoor activities with people outside of their own household until they are fully vaccinated."

As of Tuesday morning, nearly 500,000 county residents were at least partially vaccinated.

Last week, Contra Costa extended vaccine eligibility to everyone 16 and older who lives, works or goes to school in the county. Currently, people between the ages of 16-49 must schedule appointments through Contra Costa Health Services at cchealth.org/coronavirus or by calling 833-829-2626. Other healthcare providers, including the state’s MyTurn system, do not yet offer the vaccine to people below the age of 50.

Contra Costa County, where COVID-related hospitalizations are down to their lowest point since October, must remain in the Orange Tier for at least three weeks before moving into the next, less restrictive yellow tier.