More COVID-19 restrictions loom for San Joaquin County

Record - 11/11/2020

STOCKTON – San Joaquin County is falling back into the purple tier, the most restrictive level of California’s reopening plan during the COVID-19 pandemic. While it is not there yet, here's what it will mean for residents, workers and businesses.

The latest numbers available for San Joaquin County show its daily positive case rate at 8.3 per 100,000 residents, well into the purple range set by the California Department of Public Health. The statewide case rate is 8.4 per 100,000.

Positive cases have been increasing in the county since early October, with 88 new daily positive COVID-19 cases reported as of Tuesday. Since the start of the pandemic, San Joaquin County reported 22,993 total cases and 500 deaths, or 2.2% of all cases. There are currently 1,040 active cases, while 21,453 people have recovered, according to San Joaquin County Public Health Services.

More: San Joaquin County is headed toward harsher COVID-19 restrictions

Entering the purple tier means many non-essential indoor businesses will be closed. Every county in California is assigned to a tier (purple, red, orange, yellow) based on its test positivity and adjusted case rate. At a minimum, counties must remain in a tier for at least three weeks before moving forward.

Data is reviewed weekly and tiers are updated on Tuesdays. To move forward, a county must meet the next tier’s criteria for two consecutive weeks. If a county’s metrics worsen for two consecutive weeks, it will be assigned a more restrictive tier.

For San Joaquin County, returning to the purple tier includes:

Dine-in restaurants and wineries can open outdoors only with modifications. Restaurants that provide takeout and delivery can remain open with modifications. Retailers can open with modifications provided they keep maximum capacity to 25%. Schools that reopened when the county was in a less restrictive tier (red) may remain open. However, if a school has not reopened for in-person instruction, it may not reopen until the county moves back to the Substantial (Red) Tier for 14 days. Churches, mosques, synagogues and temples can open outdoors only with modifications. Gyms and fitness centers can open outdoors only with modifications. Professional sports and racetracks can open with modifications; no live audiences. Shopping malls can open indoors with modifications and maximum capacity of 25%. Common areas and food courts closed. Private gatherings are allowed outdoors and must be two hours or less. Masks and physical distancing required. No more than three separate households in attendance, including the host. Those with COVID-19 symptoms must not attend, and those at high risk of severe illness are strongly encouraged not to attend. Singing, shouting, chanting or exercising strongly discouraged. Weddings (ceremonies only) can be held outdoors only with modifications. Youth sports can remain open with modifications.

The purple tier requires the following to be closed:

Amusement parks; bars, breweries and distilleries (where no meals provided); concert venues; convention centers; festivals; indoor playgrounds; live theater; nightclubs; saunas and steam rooms; and theme parks.

For a complete list and to view California’s “Blueprint for a Safer Economy,” visit covid19.ca.gov.

Contact reporter Joe Goldeen at (209) 546-8278 or jgoldeen@recordnet.com. Follow him on Twitter @JoeGoldeen.

This article originally appeared on The Record: More COVID-19 restrictions loom for San Joaquin County

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