Marin Finally Moves To Yellow Tier

MARIN COUNTY, CA – Marin County finally moved to the yellow tier Tuesday.

The California Department of Public Health issued a statement announcing Marin’s move from the “moderate risk” orange tier to the more open “minimal risk” yellow tier based on steadily reduced case rates.

The county’s move to the less restrictive tier of the state’s Blueprint for a Safer Economy follows the county barely missing the yellow tier twice over the last six weeks.

Under the yellow tier gyms and indoor dining can expand from 25 percent to 50 percent capacity, live events with assigned seating can expand to 67 percent and bars could reopen to 25 percent.

Although the move had been eagerly anticipated in recent months, it is of limited consequence considering the state is expected to fully reopen in two weeks.

Marin had been expected to advance to the yellow tier on April 20 and May 4.

Marin’s vaccine rollout is seen as the primary driver of the county’s move to the yellow tier.

Marin as of May 18 had the nation's highest rate of fully vaccinated residents according to a San Francisco Chronicle analysis of CDC data.

As of Tuesday, 74.4 percent of Marin residents at least 12 years of age have completed their vaccination series and 87.2 percent have received at least one dose according to the county's vaccine dashboard.

Marin has seen a steady decline in COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations, and deaths. The county is averaging three to four total new COVID-19 cases per day, or 1.3 cases per 100,000 residents.

That number needed to be below 2.0 cases per 100,000 for two consecutive weeks to move into the yellow tier.

Marin Health Officer Dr. Matt Willis told the Board of Supervisors last week that Marin is nearing "community immunity," defined by WebMd as “when a large part of the population of an area is immune to a specific disease."

On Tuesday, Willis credited residents for making a turning point in Marin’s emergence from the pandemic possible.

Marin had been in the orange tier since March 24.

“Our community has earned the freedom to open more safely," Willis said in a statement.

“We have our local residents to thank for following the science and best evidence at every stage of this pandemic, including choosing to be vaccinated. Our data shows clearly that vaccines work. Almost all current cases and outbreaks are among unvaccinated people.”

Primary changes allowed under Marin's moves to the yellow tier:

• Gyms and fitness studios can open indoors at 50 percent capacity or 75 percent if all patrons show proof of full vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test. Fitness facilities may reopen saunas, spas, and steam rooms.
• Yoga and dance studios can open indoors up to 50 percent capacity
• Restaurants are allowed to open indoors at 50 percent capacity (no longer capped at 200 people for large venues) or 75 percent if patrons show proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test.
• Wineries, breweries, and distilleries may open indoors at 50 percent capacity or 200 people, whichever is fewer, or 75 percent capacity if all patrons show proof of full vaccination or a negative test.
• Bars that do not serve food may open indoors at 25 percent capacity or 100 people, whichever is fewer, or 37.5 percent capacity if patrons show proof of vaccination or a negative test.
• Museums must retain some modifications indoors but may operate at full capacity.
• Places of worship may open at 50 percent capacity.
• Movie theaters may open indoors with 50 percent capacity, or up to 75 percent capacity if patrons show proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test.
• Family entertainment centers, indoor playgrounds, bowling alleys and cardrooms may open indoors at 50 percent capacity, or 75 percent capacity if all guests test negative or show proof of full vaccination.
• Outdoor seated events (e.g., concerts) may operate at 67 percent of venue capacity. Indoor capacity varies by size of venue and a maximum of 50 percent capacity if all guests show proof of negative test or full vaccination.
• Outdoor informal social gatherings are allowed up to 100 people.
• Indoor informal social gatherings continue to be strongly discouraged but are allowed at up to 50% of a venue’s capacity or up to 50 people, whichever is fewer.
• Conferences, receptions, and in-person meetings may take place outdoors up to 200 people or up to 400 people if all patrons show proof of full vaccination or a negative test. Indoors, those events can take place up to 200 people if all patrons show proof of full vaccination or negative tests. Such events must have assigned seating and no mingling.
• Marathons, triathlons, endurance events or other organized walks/runs may host 500 participants per hour and 1,500 total participants, or a maximum of 3,000 participants if all show proof of a negative test or full vaccination.

A full list of changes to business sector guidelines are available at Marin Recovers website and the State’s Blueprint for a Safer Economy website.