On Friday, August 28, Gov. Newsom announced the Blueprint for a Safer Economy, which uses a Color Tier System to slow the spread of COVID-19.
The colors-purple, red, orange, and yellow-reflect the number of new COVID-19 cases and how the disease is spreading locally. They also provide a framework for a safe progression of opening more businesses and activities.
Orange County is currently in the Widespread or Purple Tier, which is the equivalent of being on the State Monitoring List. In this tier, some businesses and activities can open with modifications effective August 31, including all retail and shopping centers at maximum 25% capacity, and all indoor operations of hair salons and barbershops. Visit the State’s COVID-19 website to view the status of activities within each county, as of August 31.
Reopening metrics are based on cases per 100,000 residents and positive COVID-19 test results per 100,000 tests. Each County must meet the following requirements to advance to the next color tier:
- 21-day mandatory wait time between moves; and
- meet metrics for the next tier for two straight weeks.
Weekly assessments of the numbers will begin September 8. Additionally, counties are only permitted to advance one tier at a time.
Schools may reopen for in-person instruction based on equivalent criteria to the July 17 School Re-opening Framework previously announced. Schools are eligible for reopening fully for in-person instruction following California School Sector Specific Guidelines once the county is off Tier 1 for 14 days. If Orange County case numbers continue to meet the Red Tier criteria, K-12 schools can begin in-person instruction on September 22.
"We look forward to welcoming back the indoor operations of several of our business sectors," said Irvine Mayor Christina Shea. "Our residents and businesses have worked hard to slow the spread of COVID-19 and our low per capita numbers reflect that effort. We hope the September 8 state assessment will move Irvine into the Substantial or Red tier and we can continue to open additional business sectors.
For more information, visit the State’s new COVID-19 website at covid19.ca.gov.
Read Gov. Newsom's new release: Governor Newsom Unveils Blueprint for a Safer Economy, a Statewide, Stringent and Slow Plan for Living with COVID-19