Kings and Tulare counties are set to go red next week, state health officials say

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) – Kings and Tulare counties are slated to move to red level in California’s reopening system on Tuesday, state health officials said on Friday.

California has officially administered vaccinations to 2 million people in some of the most at-risk neighborhoods, including areas in the Central Valley, since launching its new equity initiative a few weeks ago.

State health officials had said that once 2 million people in those areas receive their first doses, they will begin to relax the requirements of the current tier system, making it easier for counties to move up to tiers. less restrictive.

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On Sunday, 13 counties in the state will exit the purple level. They are: Amador, Colusa, Contra Costa, Los Angeles, Mendocino, Mono, Orange, Placer, San Benito, San Bernardino, Siskiyou, Sonoma and Tuolumne.

Health officials said that next Tuesday they predict 13 more will go red based on county data under the new formula, which now allows counties to exit purple level if they have 10 cases of COVID. or less per 100,000 inhabitants.

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These counties include Kings, Tulare, Sacramento, San Diego, Lake, Monterey, Riverside, San Joaquin, Santa Barbara, Sutter, Tehama, Ventura, and Yuba counties.

Kings and Tulare counties are said to be officially in the red level, allowing more businesses to open at increased capacity, starting Wednesday, March 17. This will be the first time Tulare County has left the purple level since the state established its system level last year.

Fresno, Madera and Merced counties in central California are expected to remain in the purple level. Mariposa County is currently in the orange level.

The state is relaxing its restrictions as the number of people receiving the vaccine increases. California on Thursday announced new guidelines that would allow breweries, distilleries and wineries to reopen their outdoor activities in the most restrictive purple level, with restrictions.

For counties that will move to less restrictive levels soon, such as Tulare and Kings counties, entering the red level means that a mix of businesses, including gyms, retail stores, and restaurants, can accommodate a limited number of people inside.

For restaurants, it’s 25% of capacity, or 100 people, whichever is less.

“Everything helps,” said Alejandra’s restaurant manager Celini Alvarez. “Any extra space will help.”

The restaurant, in downtown Visalia, followed state rules, only offering take-out and, when allowed, al fresco dining.

He already had a patio, but was able to attract more customers with the addition of a few tables on Main Street.

Now he is eager to serve a limited number of diners inside.

“This change is very favorable and shows that because we have done our due diligence throughout the county, to get the most vulnerable vaccinated, they are relaxing those restrictions because the vaccine shows that it is slowing the spread in Tulare County.” , Says Carrie Monteiro of Tulare County HHSA.

Monteiro warns that Tulare County is not out of the woods yet.
Many residents have still not received their first dose of the vaccine and COVID-19 is still a threat.

“It’s going to take time,” said Monteiro. “We therefore ask the people of Tulare County to remain vigilant, to hold out a little longer, to continue to wear your mask and to limit interactions with others outside your home.”

At Alejandra, employees will continue their safety precautions.

But they look forward to the day when they can take off their masks and show their smiles again.

“We’re curious to see the sequel – the next chapter,” says Alvarez. “And it seems that with the vaccines, it helped a lot, a lot and very quickly.”

All grade levels in Tulare County are now allowed to reopen for in-person instruction.

Visalia Unified School District already offers in-person classes to Kindergarten to Grade 6 students.

They plan to bring students back from Grades 7 to 12 on March 25.

RELATED: Coronavirus California: Map Shows Which Counties Can, Cannot Reopen Below Reopening Levels

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