Santa Cruz County, Calif. – Based on low case counts and test positivity rates, Santa Cruz County will move into the Yellow Tier under the State’s Blueprint for a Safer Economy on Wednesday, May 19.

Under the Yellow Tier, bars may open indoors at 25 percent capacity, or 50 percent ifcustomers show proof of a vaccination or negative test. Indoor music venues may increase to 50 percent capacity with proof of vaccination or negative test. Outdoor performance venues, including music, sporting events and theater, may increase to two-thirds capacity. Saunas and steam rooms may open at 50 percent capacity. Family entertainment centers (bowling alleys, arcades, etc) may increase to 50 percent, or 75 percent with proof of vaccination or a negative test. Gyms may increase to 50 percent capacity, while amusement parks may increase to 35 percent. For more on the Blueprint, go to
https://covid19.ca.gov/safer-economy.

California will move Beyond the Blueprint on June 15, which will eliminate the tier system ofeconomic restrictions and allow normal operations to resume in nearly all sectors. While vaccinated persons no longer are required to wear masks in most outdoor settings, all residents are required to continue wearing face coverings in indoor settings until June 15.

The latest California Department of Public Health guidance on face coverings is available at https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/Pages/COVID-19/guidance-for-facecoverings.
aspx.

For local information on COVID-19, go to www.santacruzhealth.org/coronavirus, call 211 or text “COVID19” to 211211. Residents may also call (831) 454-4242 between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.