California, the first state to shut down due to COVID-19, lifted most of its pandemic restrictions Tuesday including capacity limits, physical distancing and mask requirements for those fully vaccinated.
Governor Gavin Newsom tweeted a good morning to Californians, outlining what residents had to look forward to with the reopening.
“No more social distancing. No more capacity limits. No more colors or county tiers. And if you’re vaccinated—no more masks. It’s a good day,” Newsom wrote.
Good morning California.
It’s reopening day.
We’ve administered over 40 million vaccines.
Now…
No more social distancing.
No more capacity limits.
No more colors or county tiers.
And if you’re vaccinated—no more masks.
It’s a good day.
— Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) June 15, 2021
In a news release on Friday, Newsom outlined the restrictions that would be lifted on Tuesday, as nearly 40 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine have been administered in California.
“California is turning the page on this pandemic, thanks to swift action by the state and the work of Californians who followed public health guidelines and got vaccinated to protect themselves and their communities,” Newsom said.
“With nearly 40 million vaccines administered and among the lowest case rates in the nation, we are lifting the orders that impact Californians on a day-to-day basis while remaining vigilant to protect public health and safety as the pandemic persists.”
Get ready! 🙌🏽 We are fully reopening our economy on JUNE 15 and here’s what that means for Californians.
No more:
🚫 Capacity limits
🚫 Distancing required
🚫 Color tier systemKeep up the good work, California! #CAcomeback pic.twitter.com/5SRTOyuFtS
— Office of the Governor of California (@CAgovernor) June 9, 2021
A tweet from the Office of the Governor of California included a graphic giving a simple rundown of what Californians should expect on Tuesday.
Masks will still be required in schools, hospitals, jails and on public transportation, in line with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s guidelines. Social distancing guidelines have been completely lifted.
This is a live story and will be updated with further information.
Rodin Eckenroth/Getty Images
News of the reopening has been met with mixed reactions on social media, with some declaring excitement or plans now that restrictions and social distancing guidelines have been lifted. Others were not quite so optimistic, expressing their decisions to remain at home and continue wearing masks.
“Just putting this out there as we head into California ‘reopening’ tomorrow. There will be people who still want to wear their masks out in public. Let them be,” Jenna Liston of FOX news tweeted on Monday. “Stay safe and be nice to people.”
Just putting this out there as we head into California “reopening” tomorrow.
There will be people who still want to wear their masks out in public.
Let them be.
Do what make you comfortable but don’t push your own agenda on to someone else.
Stay safe & be nice to people 🤍
— Jenna Liston FOX 26 (@JennaListonTV) June 14, 2021
Actor Billy Eichner tweeted his plans to keep to himself after over a year of mandatory self-isolation and social distancing, which received over 1,700 retweets and 24,000 likes.
“California is officially reopening tomorrow but please note that I remain emotionally unavailable. Thank you,” Eichner tweeted.
California is officially reopening tomorrow but please note that I remain emotionally unavailable. Thank you.
— billy eichner (@billyeichner) June 14, 2021
For some, the reopening doesn’t affect their regular schedules, for essential workers who continued working through the pandemic or those accustomed to holding virtual meetings.
Mark Potts, an editor for YouTube Nation said “It’s reopening day in California! Or, as essential workers call it, ‘Tuesday.'”
Aaron Levie, CEO of the cloud content management company Box, wrote on Twitter: “California officially reopening today. Which means it’s time to do video calls for the entire day.”
California officially reopening today. Which means it’s time to do video calls for the entire day.
— Aaron Levie (@levie) June 15, 2021
