Industry reopening guidance – effective Monday, August 31
From what we understand based on the latest information from the state and county, industry guidance has been updated to be much more specific to different operations. For updated guidance and capacity limits, please visit the state’s blueprint for a safer economy page. Enter “San Diego” then scroll down for industry specific reopening information. All businesses should still check and adhere to official state issued industry guidance.
A few notable changes that were announced today:
- Able to open at 50% capacity:
- Libraries
- Grocery stores*
- Retail stores*
- Indoor malls (with common areas closed, food courts use restaurant guidance)
- Able to open at 25% capacity or 100 people, whichever is fewer
- Restaurants
- Places of worship and cultural ceremonies, such as weddings
- Movie theaters
- Museums
- Able to open at 10% capacity
- Gyms
- Fitness centers
- Yoga studios
- Able to open in adherence to state issued industry guidance
- Hair salons
- Barbershops
- Nail salons
- Estheticians
- Skin care services and cosmetology
- Electrologists
- Massage therapy
- Tattoo and piercing parlors
- Family entertainment centers (outdoors)
- Wineries (outdoors)
Tier System for Monitoring
Instead of relying on one monitoring list that encompassed the majority of counties in the state, the state will now use a tiered monitoring system with different restrictions in place for each level. The graphic below shows the criteria for each tier.
The previous monitoring list criteria is equivalent to Tier 1 “Widespread”. San Diego is currently in Tier 2 “Substantial”, which allows for the reopenings described above. To move up a tier and have further reduction of restrictions, the county would need to remain in it’s current tier for a minimum of 21 days. For at least 14 consecutive days of the 21, the county would also need to meet the criteria for the next tier.
As an example, for San Diego to move to Tier 3 “Moderate”, the county would need to be in Tier 2 for a minimum of three weeks, while having a case rate between 1-3.9 new daily cases per 100,000 people and a positivity rate between 2-4.9% for a minimum of two weeks. Counties can only move up one tier at a time.
With each additional tier, restrictions are eligible to be relaxed further. If the county case rate climbs, the county can also move back to Tier 1, which will mean heightened restrictions will apply.
This is a strong indication that San Diego County is going in the right direction, but it will be our continued vigilance and adherence to safety measures, like wearing a mask, washing hands, and maintaining social distance, that will ensure we keep moving in a positive direction.
Thank you for your hard work and commitment over these difficult months. We are here to help you understand this information. If you have any questions, please contact us at [email protected].
