Watsonville Biz Must Wait At Least 2 Weeks To Reopen Further

WATSONVILLE, CA — Watsonville businesses under COVID-19-related restrictions must wait until at least May 18 to further reopen.

The news came after Santa Cruz County again failed to meet the threshold for the yellow tier, or the least-strict tier, of California's four-tiered, color-coded system to reopen public life. The county is currently in the orange tier.

Several cases among youth sports teams meant the county was unable to progress into the yellow tier, the county said this week. The cases appear to be associated with travel or exercising in closed spaces without masks, not sports play.

Younger people in Santa Cruz County are getting sick more often recently, the county said. People under the age of 50 now comprise the bulk of new hospitalizations in the country.

Santa Cruz County urged teens and young people to sign up to get vaccinated, as appointments are immediately available.

When Santa Cruz County is able to move into the yellow tier, which indicates minimal risk, additional activities and businesses will be able to operate with fewer restrictions.

Yellow tier counties may allow outdoor events with up to 200 people, or 400 people if they have been vaccinated or tested for COVID-19. Gyms will be able to open at half-capacity with access to saunas and steam rooms. Wineries and breweries may also open at half-capacity.

See which other activities are allowed in the yellow tier here.