Napa County Moves To Red Tier: What To Know

NAPA COUNTY, CA — Following the state of California's announcement Tuesday that Napa was among seven counties permitted to move to the red tier, Napa County officials confirmed the newest guidance for businesses and other public activities takes effect at 12:01 a.m. Wednesday.

"A return to the less restrictive red tier means most activities can reopen, some are still outdoors only, and all with modifications," Napa County Office of Emergency Services said.

Under the red tier on the state's Blueprint for a Safer Economy, restaurants and movie theaters can reopen in Napa County for indoor service with modifications, which includes limiting capacity to 25 percent or 100 people, whichever is less.

Fitness centers, shopping centers, clothing stores and churches can also reopen in Napa County with capacity limits.

• READ MORE: 7 CA Counties Move Into Red Tier, Making Way For More Reopenings

Wineries and tasting rooms can operate outdoor only in Napa County with modifications, while bars, breweries and distilleries — where no meals are provided — must remain closed.

Businesses, the county said, "should follow Industry Guidance documents issued by the state of California and pay close attention to the specific requirements listed in these documents for counties."

Gatherings Still Limited Under Red Tier

The county asked community members, even those who've been vaccinated, to continue to wear face coverings, wash hands frequently and keep a minimum distance of 6 feet from people outside their household.

"Community members are reminded that COVID-19 is still present in our community," the county said. "Indoor gatherings are still strongly discouraged."

The red tier allows small private gatherings indoor and outdoor with no more than three separate households in attendance. The gatherings should be two hours or less and anyone with coronavirus symptoms should not attend.

Napa County's Frequently Asked Questions webpage also has more information.

What It Takes To Move Into Red Tier

In addition to Napa, San Francisco and Santa Clara, four other counties across the state — El Dorado, Lassen, Modoc and San Luis Obispo — moved into the red tier Tuesday, reducing the number of purple tier counties in California to 40.

With Napa, San Francisco and Santa Clara counties moved from the purple tier and into the red tier Tuesday, and San Mateo and Marin counties falling out of the purple tier last week, there are now five Bay Area counties in the red tier.

At least a dozen more counties are expected to move into less-restrictive tiers next week as well, according to Gov. Gavin Newsom.

The state moves counties to less-restrictive tiers based on a set of metrics, including reduced positivity rates over a two-week period.

Napa County as of Tuesday had 8.8 new cases a day per 100,000 residents; a 5.9 adjusted case rate for tier assignment; a 2.3 percent positivity rate (7-day average); and a 3.8 percent health equity quartile positivity rate.

Bay City News Service contributed to this report.