Butte County has qualified to move from Tier 2 (red) to a less-restrictive Tier 3 (orange) of the State’s COVID-19 Blueprint for a Safer Economy, a shift that allows more businesses to reopen and some that are already open to increase capacity. This change in tiers is effective at 12:00 am on Wednesday, March 31.
The data requirements to qualify for Tier 3 include a case rate of 1-3.9 cases per 100,000 residents with a test positivity rate of 2 – 4.9% or less. The current Butte County COVID19 case rate is 3.8 cases per 100,000 residents with a 2.3% test positivity rate.
Moving to the Orange Tier is a hopeful sign. However, many of the activities allowed in this less restrictive tier remain high risk. To continue to prevent cases and reduce hospitalizations, it is important to continue wearing a mask, washing your hands, keeping your distance from others, staying home if you are sick, and getting vaccinated when it is your turn.
Those currently eligible for the COVID-19 Vaccine:
What business sectors can open in Tier 3?
- Indoor dining at maximum 50% capacity or 200 people, whichever is fewer;
- Retail stores indoors with modifications
- Gyms and fitness centers indoors at maximum 25% capacity, with indoor pools open
- Movie theaters at maximum 50% capacity or 200 people, whichever is fewer
- Family entertainment centers indoors at maximum 25% capacity with modifications for areas of increased risk of proximity
- Zoos, museums, and aquariums at 50% maximum indoor capacity
- Places of Worship indoors at maximum 50% capacity with modifications
- Wineries, Breweries and Distilleries indoors at maximum 25% capacity or 100 people, whichever is fewer
- Bars where no meal is provided, outdoors with modifications
- Offices indoors with modifications – telework encouraged
To understand which business sectors and activities may open indoors with modifications at reduced capacity in Tier 3 (orange), the public can visit the State’s Blueprint for a Safer Economy; covid19.ca.gov/safer-economy/
Businesses should review the State’s COVID-19 industry guidance to ensure that all modifications and mitigation measures are in place to prevent the spread of the virus: covid19.ca.gov/industry-guidance/
