As the number of new COVID-19 cases declines and more people become vaccinated against the novel coronavirus, the county has eased into a less restrictive tier of pandemic safety protocols.
On Wednesday the county of San Diego entered the Orange Tier of COVID-19 safety practices meaning more people can gather in indoor settings.
Under the new guidelines restaurants can increase their indoor seating capacity up to 50 percent occupancy or 200 people maximum, and the 10 p.m.-5 a.m. curfew ends; gyms and fitness centers can operate at 25 percent capacity indoors; wineries and breweries can allow 25 percent seating capacity or 100 people inside; places of worship can operate at 50 percent capacity and bars that do not serve food can open outdoors, provided they follow public health and safety guidelines.
The change in status comes as the state opens vaccine eligibility to all California residents April 15 and infections continue on a downward trend.
The governor’s office optimistically suggested that if cases continue to decrease and vaccinations increase, all restrictions should be lifted by the middle of June.
