San Mateo County is moving to the orange tier for reopening, the first in the Bay Area to do so as COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations continue to drop statewide.
"We're really, really encouraged where we are relative to the metrics," San Mateo County Board of Supervisors President David Canepa told KCBS Radio.
The county officially moves into the orange tier on Wednesday.
"We know if we don't have public health, then we can't have economic health," Canepa said of the county's advancement in the color-coded system.
Per tier assignment guidelines released by the California Department of Public Health, San Mateo County will see expanded capacity in businesses, however, indoor gatherings remain strongly discouraged. They're allowed with modifications and capped at a maximum of three households.
Retail businesses, including shopping malls, will no longer have maximum capacity limits, but food courts at those shopping malls must continue to operate with reduced capacity. Indoor venues like restaurants, zoos, museums, aquariums, places of worship and movie theaters will be able to hold 50% of their seating.
Gyms and fitness centers expand to 25% capacity or 200 people, whichever number is smallest.
Wineries, breweries and distilleries, which just benefitted from updated guidelines from the state last week, can seat customers indoors at 25% capacity or 100 people, also whichever figure is lowest.
Here's one you haven't seen in months: bars can reopen, but only outdoors.
Another new element for Bay Area residents is the return indoor work at offices in San Mateo County, though state guidelines still "encourage telework." Furthermore, live events can immediately restart with modifications and capacity limits, including assigned seating and regional attendees only.
"This is really significant today and to be the first in the Bay Area, and something momentarily...we should really take pride in," Canepa added.
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