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Solano County Moves to Red Tier

Benicia Business

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
September 22, 2020 

News Contacts:
Matthew A. Davis, Sr. Management Analyst and Public Communications Officer
(707) 784-6111 and 
MADavis@SolanoCounty.com 

Jayleen Richards, Public Health Administrator, Health and Social Services, Public Health division
(707) 784-8616
JMRichards@SolanoCounty.com

State moves Solano County into red tier (Tier 2) on COVID-19 framework; allows businesses to reopen some additional indoor activities withmodifications

SOLANO COUNTY – The California Department of Public Health announced today that Solano County has been moved into the red tier (Tier 2) on the state’s COVID-19 response framework, allowing for more local businesses and activities to resume some additional indoor activities, with modifications. 

“Solano County has made progress in reducing the spread of COVID-19 in our community,” says Bela T. Matyas, M.D., M.P.H., Solano County Health Officer. “As more businesses reopen, we all need to do our part to protect ourselves and others from COVID-19 infection, and our best defense is to continue with the safety protocols—wear a mask, watch your distance and wash your hands.” 

Before the move today, the State had placed Solano County in the most restrictive tier; Tier 1, the purple tier, where COVID-19 infection rates are considered “widespread,” and many indoor businesses operations remained closed or with limited capacity. The transition into Tier 2, the red tier, allows for more business with indoor operations to increase capacity. Businesses need to continue to adhere to the State’s Industry Guidance for social distancing best practices to help protect employees, customers and the community to continue to reduce the transmission of COVID-19 infection. 

MOVING INTO TIER 2 (RED) ALLOWS: 

  • Restaurants indoor dining (max 25% capacity of facility or 100 people, whichever is fewer) 

  • All retail indoors (max 50% capacity of facility) 

  • Shopping centers, swap meets indoors (max 50% capacity of facility, closed common areas) 

  • Personal care services – hair and nail salons, barbershops (open with modifications) 

  • Museums, zoos and aquariums (max 25% capacity of facility) 

  • Places of worship (max 25% capacity of facility or 100 people, whichever is fewer) 

  • Movie theaters indoors (max 25% capacity of facility or 100 people, whichever is fewer) 

  • Gyms and fitness centers indoors (max 10% capacity of facility) 

BUSINESSES MUST STILL IMPLEMENT STATE-MANDATED INDUSTRY GUIDANCE: 

Prior to opening under Tier 2, all businesses must review the Solano County Health Order, complete a State COVID-19 general checklist and ensure a written plan is on file and available for public review. Information and resources on Guidance for Industries is available on the Solano County website at www.SolanoCounty.com/COVID19. 

WHAT CAN HAPPEN OVER THE NEXT SEVERAL WEEKS 

If Solano County continues to make progress in preventing COVID-19 transmission, additional business sectors and indoor activities can progressively begin to open, with modifications, within the next three weeks, per the State’s Industry Guidelines. If the County’s COVID-19 metrics worsen, the County would be directed to revert to a more restrictive tier as soon as two weeks from today. Per state regulations, K- 12 schools can reopen to classroom-based learning with COVID-19 modifications after two weeks of the County in Tier 2, providing there is no new surge in COVID-19 infections. 

FREE COVID-19 TESTING FOR ANYONE IN SOLANO COUNTY 

As more businesses begin to reopen, remember that you can be tested for COVID-19 for free, regardless of symptoms. Same-day appointments are available. Sign up at www.Lhi.Care/CovidTesting and/or by calling (888) 634-1123. 

FOR MORE INFORMATION 

To find the status of activities in the County, visit https://covid19.ca.gov/safer-economy/. For more information about COVID-19 in Solano County, visit www.SolanoCounty.com/COVID19 or call the Coronavirus Warmline at (707) 784-8988, email COVID19@SolanoCounty.com and on Public Health’s Facebook page, www.Facebook.com/SolanoCountyPH (@SolanoCountyPH). 

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