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Contra Costa County Moves to COVID-19 Tier 2

Contra Costa Health Services announced Tuesday another step forward in the effort to reopen as the county is moving from Tier 1 (purple) to Tier 2 (red) on the State of California’s COVID-19 reopening plan. Because the county’s positivity rate (3.7%) and adjusted case rate (6.7), Contra Costa will now be in the next higher tier, which will allow further reopening of businesses and services. Under the new tier, the following sectors can reopen with modifications:

 

• Places of worship, restaurants, movie theaters and museums can be operated indoors at 25% capacity or 100 people, whichever is less
• Gyms can reopen indoors at 10% capacity
• All personal care services, including massage, can move indoors with modifications
• Indoor shopping malls can operate at 50% maximum occupancy (instead of 25%). Food courts can also open following the state's guidelines for restaurants.
• Indoor retail stores can now operate at 50% capacity (instead of 25%)

 
NOTE:  Capacity or maximum occupancy are numbers that are established by the San Ramon Valley Fire Protection District.

All businesses will be required to adhere to the Industry Guidance established by the State of California, by business type, that establishes social distancing, safety and sanitation practices.
 
We will remain in the new tier for at least three weeks before being eligible to move forward. To reach the next tier (Orange), Contra Costa County will need to see a positivity rate of under 4.9% and adjusted case rate of under 3.9 for two consecutive weeks.
 
To learn more about the State of California’s tier system and what businesses are affected by each tier, go to either the Blueprint for a Safer Economy or the Town of Danville’s COVID-19 reopening information. 
 
 
County Offers Tips for Safe Halloween
 
Halloween is only a month away, and Contra Costa Health Services is calling on the community to exercise caution in how they celebrate the holiday.  The safest way of celebrating is through staying at home and focusing on decorations, holding virtual parties and costume contests as a means of allowing interaction without risk of spreading COVID-19.
 
Trick or Treating is considered to be a high-risk activity, as are in-person parties.  Parties, in particular are not allowed under the health order unless it is with members of your household.

Lower risk activities that are recommended:
 

1. Carving pumpkins as a family, playing games or conducting a trick or treat themed scavenger hunt within your family unit.
2. Hold a virtual party or costume contest.
3. Participate in vehicle-based gatherings, like a car parade or drive-in movie, where participants do not leave their vehicles. If participating in these types of events, it is important to remain in your vehicle, watch for pedestrians, and do not gather in large groups.

 
In recognition that many will still want to take their children trick or treating, the recommendation from County Health Services is for the following:
 

1. One-way trick-or-treating where individually wrapped goodie bags are lined up for families to grab and go while social distancing.  In these instances, it is highly recommended that everyone wear appropriate face coverings, wash hands before preparing goodie bags, and washing hands prior to opening candy at home.
2. Have a small group outdoor open-air costume parade or movie night where people wear masks and practice social distancing.

 
The community is reminded that large parties are not allowed under the health order, nor are haunted houses and indoor mazes.
 
For the full list of safety tips, go to the Contra Costa Health Services website.
 
We appreciate this is not how we would all want to be celebrating the season but in order to keep moving forward with reopening we ask that everyone makes plans for their family celebrations that help stop the spread, protect our neighbors and help keep our businesses from a possible re-closure.