Skip to content
CapRadio

CapRadio

signal status listen live donate
listen live donate signal status
listen live donate signal status
  • News
    • topics
    • State Government
    • Environment
    • Health Care
    • Race and Equity
    • Business
    • Arts and Lifestyle
    • Food and Sustainability
    • PolitiFact California
  • Music
    • genres
    • Classical
    • Jazz
    • Eclectic
    • Daily Playlist
  • Programs + Podcasts
    • news
    • Morning Edition
    • All Things Considered
    • Marketplace
    • Insight With Vicki Gonzalez
    • music
    • Acid Jazz
    • At the Opera
    • Classical Music
    • Connections
    • Excellence in Jazz
    • Hey, Listen!
    • K-ZAP on CapRadio
    • Mick Martin's Blues Party
    • Programs A-Z
    • Podcast Directory
  • Schedules
    • News
    • Music
    • ClassicalStream
    • JazzStream
    • Weekly Schedule
    • Daily Playlist
  • Community
    • Events Calendar
    • CapRadio Garden
    • CapRadio Reads
    • Ticket Giveaways
  • Support
    • Evergreen Gift
    • One-Time Gift
    • Corporate Support
    • Vehicle Donation
    • Stock Gift
    • Legacy Gift
    • Endowment Gift
    • Benefits
    • Member FAQ
    • e‑Newsletter
    • Drawing Winners
    • Thank You Gifts
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Close Menu
 We Get Support From:
Become a Supporter 
 We Get Support From:
Become a Supporter 
  • State Government
  •  

California Announces New COVID-19 Reopening Plan

Friday, August 28, 2020 | Sacramento, CA
Listen
/
download audio
Update RequiredTo play audio, update browser or Flash plugin.
Andrew Nixon / CapRadio

University of Beer uses shower curtains to separate customers for COVID-19 June 12, 2020.

Andrew Nixon / CapRadio

Gov. Gavin Newsom unveiled a retooled process for loosening and tightening COVID-19 restrictions Friday.

Labeled a “Blueprint for a Safer California,” the system puts California’s 58 counties into four tiers based on the number of new daily cases and the percentage of positive tests.  

“We’ve learned a lot the past few months,” Newsom said. “We’re looking now to a uniform framework.”  

The tiers are color-coded:

California Department of Public Health
  • Purple for Widespread (more than 7 daily new cases  per 100,000;  more than 8% positive tests; most non-essential indoor businesses closed)
  • Red for Substantial (4-7 daily new cases per 100,000; 5-8% positive tests; some non-essential indoor businesses closed
  • Orange for Moderate (1-3.9 daily new cases per 100,000; 2-4.9% positive tests; some business operations open with modifications)
  • Yellow for Minimal (fewer than one daily new case per 100,000; less than 2% positive tests; most business operations open with modifications).  

“We don’t put up green because we don’t believe that there is a green light that says go back to the way things were, or back to a pre-pandemic mindset,” the governor said.

A new state website allows you to look up your county and see what restrictions exist for specific industries and businesses. 

What to know about coronavirus in California. Once a day.

 

Thanks for subscribing!

Thanks! We'll send you what you need to know about coronavirus in California once a day.

Browse all newsletters

The new system allows some businesses to open statewide regardless of what tier a county is in.

Starting Monday, counties in the widespread tier may open some businesses with modifications, including all retail, shopping centers at a maximum 25% capacity, and hair salons and barbershops indoors. Restaurants can only operate outdoors under the strictest tier, but under the substantial (red) tier, they could open at 25% capacity.

Counties in the widespread tier aren’t permitted to reopen schools for in-person instruction unless they receive a waiver from their local health department for TK-6 grades. Schools can reopen for in-person instruction once their county has been in the substantial tier for at least two weeks.

The tier system replaces the state's previous COVID-19 watch list.

California Department of Public Health

The new plan requires 21 days before a county can move to a less-restrictive tier in order to know what may be adversely affecting public health. And it features a new process for tightening up if and when conditions worsen.

Counties will also be required to provide rates of positive COVID-9 tests and test positivity data and to show they are targeting resources and making the greatest efforts to prevent and fight COVID. Until now, each of the counties had their own rules and were allowed to simply give their word to the state about critical metrics. 

Newsom said the new guidelines will allow the state to measure progress against COVID-19 in a more meaningful way. 

As of Friday, only three counties — Alpine, Modoc and Tuolumne — are in the yellow or “minimal” category. Sacramento is one of 38 counties in the purple or “widespread” tier.

The state has modified the covid19.ca.gov website, allowing you to search for county-specific and business sector-specific information about what services and activities are allowable within that county’s current tier.   

 


Follow us for more stories like this

CapRadio provides a trusted source of news because of you.  As a nonprofit organization, donations from people like you sustain the journalism that allows us to discover stories that are important to our audience. If you believe in what we do and support our mission, please donate today.

Donate Today  

    More about Coronavirus

  • NIAID-RML via AP

    Coronavirus In California: Latest Updates And Resources

    The coronavirus has impacted nearly every aspect of life in California and around the world. Here are resources and all our coverage at CapRadio and NPR.

 Coronavirus

Sign up for ReCap and never miss the top stories

Delivered to your inbox every Friday.

 

Check out a sample ReCap newsletter.

Thanks for subscribing!

Thank you for signing up for the ReCap newsletter! We'll send you an email each Friday with the top stories from CapRadio.

Browse all newsletters

More State Government Stories

Kris Hooks / CapRadio

The Supreme Court has overturned Roe v. Wade. Here's what it means for California.

June 24, 2022

AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli

Governor Newsom signs bill to shield patients threatened by abortion bans in other states

June 24, 2022

Kris Hooks / CapRadio

Hundreds gather in Sacramento to protest Supreme Court ruling overturning Roe v. Wade

June 24, 2022

Most Viewed

Abortion is still legal in California. Here are answers to questions about access in the state.

Northern California wildfires: Where to find updates on air quality, evacuations, and official information

Homeless Sacramento residents could face misdemeanor for blocking sidewalks under city proposal

California coronavirus updates: COVID-19 cases are increasing globally

Composting starts soon in Sacramento County. Here’s what you need to know.

We Get Support From:
Become a Supporter

Most Viewed

Abortion is still legal in California. Here are answers to questions about access in the state.

Northern California wildfires: Where to find updates on air quality, evacuations, and official information

Homeless Sacramento residents could face misdemeanor for blocking sidewalks under city proposal

California coronavirus updates: COVID-19 cases are increasing globally

Composting starts soon in Sacramento County. Here’s what you need to know.

Back to Top

  • CapRadio

    7055 Folsom Boulevard
    Sacramento, CA 95826-2625

    • (916) 278-8900
    • Toll-free (877) 480-5900
    • Email Us
    • Submit a News Tip
  • Contact Us

  • About Us

    • Contact Us / Feedback
    • Coverage
    • Directions
    • Careers & Internships
    • Mission / Vision / Core Values
    • Press
    • Staff Directory
    • Board of Directors
  • Listening Options

    • Mobile App
    • On Air Schedules
    • Smart Speakers
    • Playlist
    • Podcasts
    • RSS
  • Connect With Us

    •  Facebook
    •  Twitter
    •  Instagram
    •  YouTube
  • Donate

  • Listen

  • Newsletters

CapRadio stations are licensed to California State University, Sacramento. © 2022, Capital Public Radio. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Website Feedback FCC Public Files: KXJZ KKTO KUOP KQNC KXPR KXSR KXJS. For assistance accessing our public files, please call 916-278-8900 or email us.