Declining coronavirus case rates mean two Bay Area counties are advancing out of the most-restrictive stage in California’s reopening system, officials announced Tuesday.
San Mateo and Marin counties were among five statewide that moved from the purple tier on the color-coded scale, indicating the virus is “widespread,” to the red tier, for “substantial” spread.
Thee more Bay Area counties — Santa Clara, San Francisco and Napa — are on pace to take the same step next week.
San Mateo and Marin counties’ move on Tuesday clears the way for their restaurants to serve diners indoors at up to a quarter of their usual capacity. Move theaters and museums, which like restaurants had been outdoor-only, can also reopen indoors at 25% capacity; gyms can do the same at up to 10% capacity.
The two counties are each averaging fewer than 100 new coronavirus cases per day, according to data compiled by this news organization. State data shows each has a test positivity rate barely above 2%.
Yolo, Shasta and Humboldt counties also advanced to the red tier Tuesday, while Trinity County, which had been in the orange tier, moved back into the red.
At a bill signing Tuesday morning, Gov. Gavin Newsom said eight more California categories are on track to move out of the most-restrictive stage next week.
Newsom did not name those counties, but the state’s data shows Santa Clara, San Francisco and Napa were among those that met the case and positivity rate metrics necessary to reach the red tier this week. California’s system requires that counties hit those marks for two consecutive weeks to move forward.
Case rates in Alameda and Contra Costa counties remain well above the purple tier threshold, meaning it will be at least two weeks before they can advance.
Check back for updates.
