The long-awaited announcement came on Monday afternoon: effective Jan. 25, San Joaquin County has officially moved back to the Purple, or Widespread, Tier after the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) announced that the Regional Stay-At-Home Order has been lifted in the San Joaquin Valley region due to the fact that the ICU capacity is projected to be at 15 percent in four weeks. The Limited Stay At-Home Order or curfew is also ended with the exit from the Regional Stay At-Home Order.
This announcement allows San Joaquin County businesses to reopen after being closed since Dec. 5, 2020. Officials noted that a return to the Purple Tier will drastically improve the local economy and local businesses will now be able to resume operations with some modifications.
“This action by the State will go a long way in helping our businesses recover from the pandemic,” said County Board of Supervisors Chair Tom Patti. “We appreciate the State lifting the Stay At-Home Order and allowing San Joaquin County businesses and residents to reopen. I also want to recognize our local businesses for being patient during this hardship and taking all necessary safety measures to either continue operation or to now reopen and bring back local jobs.”
Effective Jan. 25, the following businesses will be able to operate with the following restrictions:
Family entertainment centers: Outdoors only with modifications
Gyms and fitness centers: Outdoors only with modifications
Hair Salons and Barber Shops: Indoors with modifications
Movie theaters: Outdoors only with modifications
Museums, zoos and aquariums: Outdoors only with modifications
Personal Care Services: Open indoors with modifications
Places of worship: Outdoors only with modifications
Retail: Open indoors with a maximum of 25 percent occupancy
Restaurants: Outdoors only with modifications
Shopping centers: Open indoors with a maximum of 25 percent occupancy
Schools that were open prior to Monday for in person learning, will remain open following State Guidance. For Youth Sports, individual or small group sports are allowed where contact within six feet of other participants can be avoided.
To move back into the next tier, residents can help by slowing the spread and following the Health Orders and guidelines: wear a mask, wash your hands regularly, practice physical distancing, be tested, and limit mixing with people outside your household. Free testing is available at many locations in San Joaquin County. To find testing locations, more information, or report violations, visit SJReady.org. For additional information about the State’s Blueprint for a Safer Economy, Industry Guidance, or to find out what is open, visit https://covid19.ca.gov.
