Contra Costa Returns To Purple Tier, State Lifts Regional Order

CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CA — Shuttered businesses across Contra Costa County and the Bay Area began scrambling Monday after the state lifted its restrictive Regional Stay-At-Home order. Gov. Gavin Newsom's abrupt announcement came as data indicated that the winter surge in coronavirus cases had begun to subside.

The news came after the state reported Saturday that the Bay Area ICU capacity was at 23.4 percent, the first time it had been above 15 percent since the Stay-Home order took effect.

Effective immediately after the state's announcement Monday, Contra Costa County — along with the rest of the Bay Area — was placed back into the purple tier of the state's four-tiered, color-coded COVID-19 risk assessment system.

The purple tier of the state's Blueprint for a Safer Economy is the most restrictive and indicates widespread COVID-19 risk. Even so, that's good news for businesses forced to close when the stay-at-home order first went into effect Dec. 6.

The state will now allow the following activities to resume, with adherence to safety guidelines:

  • Outdoor dining

  • Hair salons and barbershops

  • Personal care services (e.g. nail salons)

  • Outdoor gatherings with up to 35 people from up to three households

  • Bars, wineries and breweries

Health guidelines regarding physical distancing and use of face coverings outside the home remain in effect, as do occupancy caps for indoor businesses and requirements limiting close-contact gatherings of people from different households.

Retail establishments are now capped at 25 percent occupancy instead of 20 percent; Check the state’s web page for other industry-specific guidance.

Not A Reason For Contra Costans To Let Down Their Guard

The public should remain vigilant despite this development, Contra Costa Health Services said Monday in a news release. There was an average of 46 daily new infections here last week, which is about seven times higher than the purple tier threshold, the county said.

Most of the county's intensive care unit beds remain occupied. Just 26 of the 163 in Contra Costa were available as of Saturday and most elective surgeries remain postponed as all local hospitals are on contingency care status.

“Under no circumstances should anyone view the state action today as a reason to let down their guard. We have made progress, but we need to continue what we are doing to keep our families and communities safe,” said Dr. Chris Farnitano, Contra Costa County health officer, in a news release. “It is just common sense.”

More than 55,000 COVID-19 cases have been reported in Contra Costa since the beginning of the pandemic, including nearly 49,000 recovered cases. Nearly 500 deaths in the county have been linked to the coronavirus.

Patch editor Courtney Teague contributed to this report.

This article originally appeared on the Concord Patch