With the state easing out of the post-holiday COVID-19 spike, and ICU capacity increasing throughout the state, including in San Bernardino County, Gov. Gavin Newsom yesterday lifted the strict regional stay-at-home orders issued in December — moving the county back into the previous tier system. San Bernardino County remains in the Purple Tier.
As a result, local restaurants will be allowed to open for outdoor service, personal care services (such as hair and nail salons) may reopen with modifications, retailers may allow more customers into their stores and campgrounds may resume operations, among other changes.
Managing editor Tami Roleff has more updates about the lifting of the stay-at-home order…
In addition to the changes in operations for restaurants and hair salons, grocery stores may expand capacity to 50%, compared to 35% under the prior restrictions. Other retailers may increase capacity from 20% to 25% capacity.
Hotels and other short-term rental lodging can serve non-essential patrons with restrictions.
Museums and zoos can resume outside operations.
San Bernardino County’s adjusted daily case rate is 61.2 per 100,000 residents. It must be at 7 or less before the county can progress to the red tier. The county gets credit toward lowering the case rate by exceeding the statewide median testing rate, so testing is still vital not just for protecting residents from illness but for reopening our economy and getting residents back to work.
“This is great news for businesses and county residents who have been struggling financially since March 2020, but most especially since December when the State imposed the Regional Stay-at-Home Order,” said Board of Supervisors Chairman Curt Hagman. “This is a huge step forward in our recovery. With the vaccine being rolled out throughout the state, I am cautiously optimistic about the year ahead and encourage residents to get vaccinated as soon as they are able.”
A complete list of business and recreation allowances can be found at www.covid19.ca.gov/safer-economy.
