US: California eases COVID-19-related restrictions in additional counties as of Feb. 24 /update 32

Officials in California, US, ease restrictions in five counties Feb. 24 due to decreases in COVID-19 activity.

Event

Authorities in California have made minor changes in the state's county-level COVID-19 restrictions as of Feb. 24. Due to drops in disease activity within their respective jurisdictions, restrictions have been eased in five counties: Humboldt, Marin, San Mateo, Shasta, and Yolo. Additionally, restrictions have been increased in Trinity county.

The state's Blueprint for a Safer Economy guidelines consists of a four-tier color-coded system that authorities used to categorize COVID-19 transmission risk by county and implement restrictions accordingly. The tiers range from Minimal, or the "yellow" level, through Widespread, also called the "purple" level, in order of increasing risk. Each level entails a specific set of restrictions commensurate with the corresponding disease transmission potential. For details on California's Blueprint for a Safer Economy program and related restrictions, click here.

As of Feb. 24, there are 47 of the state's 58 counties at the Widespread (purple) risk level, while nine are at the Substantial (red) level: Del Norte, Humboldt, Marin, Mariposa, Plumas, San Mateo, Shasta, Trinity, and Yolo.

Alpine and Sierra counties are the only ones at the Moderate (orange) level. No counties are at the Minimal (yellow) transmission risk level.

Statewide, most entertainment venues are closed. All businesses allowed to operate must comply with certain requirements, such as enhancing sanitation procedures, closing off areas where people might gather, and observing social distancing standards, among other things. Individuals over the age of two must wear facemasks whenever outside the home, except when they are alone or complying with social distancing standards; persons with certain medical conditions are exempt.

Travel Restrictions
California officials have issued a travel advisory urging state residents to avoid travel for nonessential reasons more than 190 km (120 miles) away from their places of residence, as well as to any other states or countries. Authorities also strongly discourage any visitors from entering California and urge anyone arriving from out-of-state to self-quarantine for 10 days, except those who routinely cross the state line for essential reasons.

Additionally, authorities in some counties have imposed mandatory travel restrictions. Officials in Los Angeles County require nonessential travelers from outside the Southern California region to self-quarantine for 10 days upon arrival. Santa Clara County authorities require a 10-day self-quarantine for all nonessential travelers entering from a point of origin of more than 240 km (150 miles) from the county's borders. A similar requirement in San Francisco was lifted Feb. 23.

Authorities could reimpose, extend, further ease, or otherwise amend any restrictions with little-to-no notice depending on disease activity over the coming weeks.