Pamela Cruz. Peninsula 360 Press [P360P].
The State of California announced on Tuesday that, as of tomorrow, March 17, San Mateo County will move to the "orange level," a less restrictive level that allows for the easing of certain limitations and where most indoor businesses will operate with modifications.
The change to orange will occur in the first minute of this Wednesday. The move comes one year to the day after the first stay-at-home order was issued in the Bay Area.
"This is an important milestone for San Mateo County and all residents should be proud of the role they played in bringing us here by continuing to wear a mask, maintaining social distance, getting tested and receiving the vaccine when eligible," said Board of Supervisors Chairman David J. Canepa.
Through a statement he stressed that "this is not the time to become complacent. This is the time to stand strong as a community and help those around us so that we can continue to open up our economy even more".
The county moved to the orange or "moderate" level due to two metrics calculated by the state: the adjusted case rate has dropped to 2.8 per 100,000 in the population and the test positivity rate, excluding prisons, is 1.1 per 100,000.
They also noted that the health equity quartile positivity rate is 1.9 per 100,000 population. The health equity quartile measures the rates of infection with the virus in the most disadvantaged communities in the county according to the California Health Places Index.
With the change to the orange level, shopping centers are now allowed to open with indoor modifications, where common areas must be enclosed, and food courts with reduced capacity.
Meanwhile, places of worship can now open indoors with modifications, where they can be at 50 percent capacity or 200 people, whichever is less, as can restaurants.
Non-essential business offices, bars/breweries where food is not provided, as well as movie theaters, gyms and fitness centers, including indoor swimming pools may also operate with modifications and with a maximum capacity of 25 percent. However, indoor hot tubs, saunas and steam rooms must close.
Likewise, climbing walls can be opened as well as family entertainment centers, go-kart racing, miniature golf, batting cages, bowling alleys, amusement parks and theme parks, all with modifications and limited capacities.
Attractions may only open by reservation or advance ticket sale, and only with local attendants - from the same county as the park location.
As for hotels, lodging and short-term lodging rentals, these will also begin operations with the necessary modifications.
Museums, zoos and aquariums will be limited to 50 percent of their capacity.
For schools, California has updated guidance and framework for reopening 12 schools for in-person learning for the 2020-21 school year.
More information about COVID-19 vaccines in San Mateo County is available on the website: https://www.smchealth.org/covidvaccinefor information on coronavirus testing, while information on coronavirus testing can be found at https://www.smcgov.org/testing.
