As anticipated, Alameda County, which includes Berkeley, responded to the COVID-19 cases and positivity rate metrics in order to move from the purple level to the less restrictive red level. As of Wednesday, March 10, many companies will be able to reopen internal operations, albeit under certain restrictions.
The adjusted rate of new daily cases per 100,000 county residents is now 4.8, with a test positivity rate of 1.8% and a quartile health equity positivity rate of 2.6%.
The following are businesses and activities that may open indoors from March 10, with restrictions and capacity changes:
- Restaurants: 25% of maximum capacity or 100 people, whichever is less
- Retail: 50% of maximum capacity and food courts allowed with internal meal restrictions
- Groceries: full capacity when following the guidelines of the retail sector
- Cinemas: 25% of maximum capacity or 100 people, whichever is less
- Museums, zoos and aquariums: 25% of maximum capacity
- Gyms, fitness centers and studios (including hotels): 10% of maximum capacity and climbing walls are allowed
The change in level allows schools to reopen in all grades. Berkeley Unified announced on Monday that it is making face-to-face classes available to all elementary students, five days a week starting March 29. a tweet on Tuesday on the change of level, the mayor of Berkeley, Jesse Arreguín, emphasized his commitment to prioritizing frontline workers and vaccination educators and his desire to see all schools reopened.
In his press release about the announcement, Alameda County Health Officer Nicholas Moss took a note of caution, however. “The Alameda County case rate is decreasing and vaccinations by vulnerable residents and our frontline employees are progressing, but the COVID-19 pandemic is not over,” he said. “As more activities and businesses open in closed environments and more people from different families mix, the risk of infection increases. Most residents of Alameda County have not been vaccinated, so we must continue to take precautions to keep each other safe. “
From March 10, cinemas can reopen with a maximum capacity of 25% or 100 people, whichever is less. Image: Pedal Born Pictures