Riverside County OK'd To Reopen In Red Tier

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA — Riverside and San Diego counties on Tuesday joined the rest of Southern California in moving out of the state's most restrictive COVID-19 purple tier, state officials announced.

The move into the less onerous red tier means many businesses and sectors are approved, albeit with some modifications, to reopen Wednesday per California's Blueprint for a Safer Economy.

Riverside County has maintained for months that it will align with state directives and not impose anything stricter.

The red-tier progression comes as vaccination eligibility expanded Monday statewide to include many more residents.

So what will be newly reopened, and who's eligible for the vaccine now?

First, here are the sectors that can begin welcoming people again, effective Wednesday, according to the state:

Gatherings:
Although indoor gatherings are strongly discouraged, they will be allowed with a maximum of three households.

Retail:
Indoor retail capacity can expand from 25 percent to 50 percent.

Shopping Centers/Malls/Swap Meets:
Indoor capacity can expand to 50 percent. Food courts can reopen with reduced capacity.

Museums, Zoos, and Aquariums:
Indoor attractions will be allowed at 25 percent capacity.

Houses of Worship:
Indoor allowed at 25 percent capacity. (This was previously allowed following several lawsuits, but it was strongly discouraged by health officials.)

Movie Theaters:
Open indoors at 25 percent capacity or 100 people, whichever is fewer.

Hotels/Lodging:
These businesses have remained open, but now they can also reopen their fitness centers at 10 percent capacity.

Gyms/Fitness Centers:
These businesses can now reopen indoors at 10 capacity; climbing walls can open.

Restaurants:
Dining rooms can reopen at 25 percent capacity or 100 people, whichever is fewer.

Wineries, Breweries, Distilleries:
All were allowed to reopen March 13, even if food is not served. There are modifications, however. See those here.

Outdoor Live Events/Sports/Concerts:
On April 1, these events can resume in red-tier counties. Read more about the restriction here.

Amusement Parks:
On April 1, these businesses can reopen in red-tier counties but with limited capacity of no more than 15 percent. Other restrictions include a ban on indoor dining. Additionally, out-of-state patrons are not allowed, and groups of more than 10 will not be allowed.

Campgrounds:
Can reopen June 1 in red-tier counties.

Schools:
All schools can reopen, not just TK-6 (with approved safety plans in place).

Here's what was already open in the county (and will remain open):

• Critical Infrastructure
• Services
• Playgrounds and Outdoor Recreational Facilities
• Hair Salons & Barbershops
• Personal Care Services
• Outdoor Family Entertainment Centers
• Outdoor Cardrooms/Satellite Wagering

In the red tier, bars that do not serve food must remain closed. Additionally, the state is requiring most office workers to continue telecommuting.

On Friday, the California Department of Public Health announced that "going forward, the Purple Tier threshold" would relax slightly and would require that only counties with 10 cases or more per 100,000 residents remain in the restrictive tier. Riverside County has been below the threshold since last Tuesday.

On Monday, COVID-19 vaccination eligibility statewide expanded to include people ages 16-64 with certain disabilities and/or underlying health conditions. In Riverside County, no doctor's note nor medical are being required to show proof of condition (read more about the honor system here).

Qualifying underlying health conditions include:

• Cancer, current with a weakened immune system
• Chronic kidney disease, stage 4 or above
• Chronic pulmonary disease, oxygen-dependent
• Down syndrome
• Solid organ transplant, leading to a weakened immune system
• Pregnancy
• Sickle cell disease
• Heart conditions, such as heart failure, coronary artery disease, or cardiomyopathies (but not hypertension)
• Severe obesity (Body Mass Index ≥ 40 kg/m2)
• Type 2 diabetes mellitus with hemoglobin A1c level greater than 7.5 percent

People with developmental or other severe high-risk disability were also eligible for vaccination beginning Monday if one or more of the following applies:

• The person is likely to develop severe life-threatening illness or death from COVID-19 infection
• Acquiring COVID-19 will limit the person's ability to receive ongoing care or services vital to their well-being and survival
• Providing adequate and timely COVID care will be particularly challenging as a result of the person's disability

The list may be adjusted as the days and weeks go on, health officials have said.

Also on Monday, the state expanded the list of occupations that now qualify to be vaccinated.

Janitors, couriers who handle vaccine supplies and emergency supplies, massage therapists, those who work in foster care, utility workers, social workers, homeless shelter workers, library staff and public transit workers are all eligible.

Vaccination of seniors continues to be a priority. Others who qualify under the California Department of Public Health Phase 1 guidelines include hospital workers, first responders, food service workers, teachers/educators and some agricultural workers.

To make a vaccine appointment and to see a list of vaccination sites, click here.