San Mateo County Moves To Less Restrictive Red Tier Following Decreases In Coronavirus Cases

Press release from the City of Millbrae:

February 23, 2021

The State of California announced today (Tuesday, February 23, 2021) that San Mateo County has moved into the less restrictive Red Tier (substantial risks) on the State’s COVID-19 reopening plan following a decrease in coronavirus cases.

San Mateo County’s shift from the purple to the red tier is due to two metrics, calculated by the state: The case rate has fallen to 5.6% and the health equity quartile positivity rate to 3.7%. The health equity quartile measures rates of infection with the virus in the county’s most disadvantaged communities based on the California Health Places Index.

This risk level is considered “Substantial” under the State’s monitoring system and officials caution that businesses and individuals must continue to follow health and safety guidelines. San Mateo County’s health order requiring face coverings, social distancing, and limited gatherings remains in effect.

Moving to Red Tier allows:

• Restaurants indoors (max 25% capacity or 100 people, whichever is fewer)

• All retail indoors (max 50% capacity)

• Shopping centers, indoor malls (max 50% capacity, closed common areas)

• Personal care services – hair and nail salons, barbershops (open with modifications)

• Museums, zoos and aquariums (max 25% capacity)

• Places of worship (max 25% capacity or 100 people, whichever is fewer)

• Movie theaters in doors (max 25% capacity or 100 people, whichever is fewer)

• Gyms and fitness centers indoors (max 10% capacity)

Family entertainment centers can remain open outdoors with modifications for activities like kart racing, mini golf and batting cages.

Businesses allowed operations must follow industry-specific guidelines for health and safety, face covering requirements and social distancing. Learn more about operational guidelines at https://covid19.ca.gov/industry-guidance/.

This press release was produced by the City of Millbrae. The views expressed here are the author’s own.