COVID-19: Berkeley Enters Red Tier - What This Means

 
 

Below is an important message from the City of Berkeley:

As case rates and the percentage of positive tests decline countywide, more activities are open in the City of Berkeley as well throughout Alameda County as long as they use COVID-19 precautions.

The impact is broad:

  • The school grades allowed to open have expanded from TK-6 to now include 7-12.

  • grocery stores can open at full capacity

  • restaurants can have indoor dining of up to 25 percent of capacity or 100 people total, whichever is less

  • retailers can open at up to 50 percent of capacity

  • gyms and fitness centers can open indoors at 10 percent of capacity

For more information on these COVID-19 restrictions, which are set by the California Department of Public Health across the entire county, see the California Blueprint for a Safer Economy, or our COVID-19 restrictions in Berkeley webpage. You can also look up the status of activities by sector on the state's COVID-19 website.

When the cases rise, people's actions have led to the increase. The same holds true when there's a decrease: diligence by thousands has a collective impact. Wearing face coverings, avoiding gatherings, keeping physical distance from other households each lessens spread -- and opens up more possibilities.

Each person that gets vaccinated also increases our overall protection. State data shows that 31,606 Berkeleyans - or 30 percent of all residents over the age of 16 - have received at least one dose. Twelve percent are fully vaccinated.

"As activities open up, we should move forward with caution because we know our increased movements also can fuel spread," said Dr. Lisa B. Hernandez, the City of Berkeley Health Officer. "To navigate our way through the pandemic, we need to use all the tools available - from face coverings to physical distance and hand hygiene. And when it's your turn, get vaccinated."

Budget risk, choose safer activities and maintain daily habits

As more activities open up, people should manage their risk. For each activity you choose, consider postponing another.

If this is the week you choose to get your haircut at a salon, you might instead choose to get takeout or cook at home instead of also dining at a restaurant. You might choose to give more time between visits to the grocery store or bank.

When leaving the safety of home, use three questions to help assess the risk of a particular activity: Where will you go? Who will attend? What will happen?

Those questions should guide you mostly to activities that are outside, shorter in duration and where people can safely stay six feet apart.

These questions should also help you avoid confined spaces, crowds and close contact with those outside your household.

Everyone should always do the essentials: stay home when sick, wear face coverings, wash hands frequently, and keep physical distance with those not in your household.

"These openings are hopeful, but the pandemic is not over," said Dr. Hernandez. "Everyone doing their part will help keep us all safe."

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Jesse Arreguin