COVID-19: California County Directives and Mandates
On Friday, August 28, 2020, California Governor Gavin Newsom unveiled a new and simpler four-tiered classification system, the Blueprint for a Safer Economy, to evaluate regional and business-sector health risk and to guide counties as they reopen businesses closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Businesses across the state have largely been closed since the Governor issued the first Stay-at-Home Order on March 19, 2020, and additional restrictions were put in place in July. Prior to August 28, the state was tracking counties’ COVID-19 metrics via a Monitoring List, with counties on the list subject to additional restrictions. That list has now been replaced with the four-tiered Blueprint. Counties in California are now subject to a streamlined set of restrictions based on the tier into which they fall, which is determined by case counts per 100,000 residents and test positivity rates. More information on the Blueprint is available here.
On Monday, March 9, 2021, the state updated the Blueprint metrics to take into account vaccination progress across California. As the state provides vaccine doses, the thresholds for counties to move into the various tiers are adjusted as follows:
- Once 2 million vaccine doses have been administered in the state to the communities with the lowest score in the Healthy Places Index, the threshold to move from the purple tier to the red tier will go from 7 new cases per 100,000 people to 10 new cases per 100,000 people. To move to the orange tier, the threshold will remain at 4 cases per 100,000 people, and to move to the yellow tier, the threshold will remain at 1.
- Once 4 million vaccine doses have been administered in the state to the communities with the lowest score in the Healthy Places Index, the threshold to move from the purple tier to the red tier will remain at 10 per 100,000 people, but the threshold will change for moving to the orange tier, from 4 new cases per 100,0000 residents to 6 cases per 100,000 people, and to move to the yellow tier, the threshold will change from 1 new case per 100,000 residents to 2 cases per 100,000 people.
The chart below provides an overview of the major restrictions that apply to counties in each tier. Note that counties can put in place additional restrictions on top of the state’s baseline. The table below lists the current tier for each county as well as any applicable additional restrictions, based on county Health Officer Orders.
Blueprint for a Safer Economy |
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Sector | Tier 1 | Tier 2 | Tier 3 | Tier 4 | |
Retail | Open indoors with modifications - 25% capacity | Open indoors with modifications - 50% capacity | Open indoors with modifications | Open indoors with modifications | |
Hair Salons & Barbershops | Open indoors with modifications | Open indoors with modifications | Open indoors with modifications | Open indoors with modifications | |
Personal Care Services | Outdoors only with modifications | Open indoors with modifications | Open indoors with modifications | Open indoors with modifications | |
Offices | Remote | Remote | Open indoors with modifications, encourage remote working | Open indoors with modifications, encourage remote working | |
Hotels & Lodging | Open with modifications | Open with modifications - fitness centers 10% capacity | Open with modifications - fitness centers 25% capacity, indoor pools open | Open with modifications - fitness centers 50% capacity, spas open | |
Gyms & Fitness Centers | Outdoors only with modifications | Open indoors with modifications - 10% capacity | Open indoors with modifications - 25% capacity, indoor pools | Open indoors with modifications - 50% capacity, spas open | |
Restaurants | Outdoors only with modifications | Open indoors with modifications | Open indoors with modifications - 25% capacity or 100 people, whichever is less | Open indoors with modifications - 50% capacity | |
Bars | Closed | Closed | Outdoors only with modifications | Outdoors only with modifications - 50% capacity | |
Places of Worship | Outdoors only with modifications | Open indoors with modifications - 25% capacity or 100 people, whichever is less | Open indoors with modifications - 50% capacity or 200 people, whichever is less | Open indoors modifications - 50% capacity |
California County Stay-At-Home Orders and Reopening Plans |
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County | COVID-19 Landing Page | Stay-at-Home Orders | County Reopening Plans | Current Tier | Additional Restrictions | Testing Guidance |
Alameda County | Landing Page | Stay-at-Home Order | Recovery Resources |
Outdoor dining no longer permitted; pick-up and delivery only. No variance; compliance with County-specific health protocols required; Check county reopening plan for specific details. Permitted as of June 19:
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N/A |
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Alpine County | Landing Page | Following Governor Newsom: Stay-at-Home Executive Order | Reopening Plan | Tier 4: Minimal risk |
N/A |
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Amador County | Landing Page | Following Governor Newsom: Stay-at-Home Executive Order | Reopening Guidance | Tier 2: Substantial risk |
Indoor activities ordered closed as of August 20:
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N/A |
Butte County | Landing Page | Following Governor Newsom: Stay-at-Home Executive Order | Reopening Plan | Tier 3: Moderate risk |
Indoor activities ordered closed:
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Available here |
Calaveras County | Landing Page | Following Governor Newsom: County Order Rescinded | Reopening Plan |
Indoor activities ordered closed as of August 20:
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N/A |
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Colusa County | Landing Page | Stay-at-Home Order | Reopening Order | Tier 3: Moderate risk |
Indoor activities ordered closed:
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N/A |
Contra Costa County | Landing Page | Stay-at-Home Order | Reopening Plan |
Indoor religious services prohibited. Bars also closed. As of Friday, August 28, 2020, personal care services such as nail salons |
N/A |
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Del Norte County | Landing Page | Following Governor Newsom: Stay-at-Home Executive Order | Reopening Plan | Tier 3: Moderate risk |
N/A |
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El Dorado County | Landing Page | Stay-at-Home Order | Reopening Guidance | Tier 3: Moderate risk |
N/A |
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Fresno County | Landing Page | Stay-at-Home Order | Reopening Guidance |
Indoor activities ordered closed:
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N/A |
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Glenn County | Landing Page | Following Governor Newsom: Stay-at-Home Executive Order | Reopening Plan | Tier 2: Substantial risk |
Indoor activities ordered closed:
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N/A |
Humboldt County | Landing Page | Stay-at-Home Order | Reopening Tool | Tier 3: Moderate risk | ||
Imperial County | Landing Page | Stay-at-Home Order | Reopening Guidance and Updated Order |
Stay at Home Order reissued; all non-essential businesses closed. |
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Inyo County | Landing Page | Following Governor Newsom: Stay-at-Home Executive Order | Reopening Guidance |
Indoor activities ordered closed as of August 20:
|
Available here |
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Kern County | Landing Page | Following Governor Newsom: Stay-at-Home Executive Order | Reopening Guidance |
Indoor activities ordered closed:
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N/A |
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Kings County | Landing Page | Following Governor Newsom: Stay-at-Home Executive Order | Reopening Plan |
Indoor activities ordered closed:
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N/A |
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Lake County | Landing Page | Stay-at-Home Order | Reopening Plan | Tier 3: Moderate risk |
N/A |
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Lassen County | Landing Page | Following Governor Newsom: Stay-at-Home Executive Order | Reopening Plan | Tier 4: Minimal risk |
N/A |
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Los Angeles County | Landing Page | Stay-at-Home Order | Reopening Plan |
County Health Officer Order aligned with state guidance except for additional rules for:
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Madera County | Landing Page | Following Governor Newsom: Stay-at-Home Executive Order | Reopening Plan |
Indoor activities ordered closed:
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Marin County | Landing Page | Stay-at-Home Order | Reopening Plan |
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Additional reopenings planned for June 29 postponed, including:
Indoor activities ordered closed:
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Mariposa County | Landing Page | Following Governor Newsom: Stay-at-Home Executive Order | Reopening Plan |
N/A |
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Mendocino County | Landing Page | Stay-at-Home Order | Reopening Plan | Tier 4: Minimal risk |
Indoor activities ordered closed as of August 20:
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Merced County | Landing Page | Stay-at-Home Order | Reopening Resources |
Indoor activities ordered closed:
|
N/A |
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Modoc County | Landing Page | Following Governor Newsom: Stay-at-Home Executive Order | Tier 3: Moderate risk |
N/A |
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Mono County | Landing Page | Following Governor Newsom: Stay-at-Home Executive Order | Reopening Plan |
Indoor activities ordered closed:
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N/A |
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Monterey County | Landing Page | Stay-at-Home Order | Reopening Plan |
Indoor activities ordered closed:
|
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Napa County | Landing Page | Stay-at-Home Order | Reopening Plan | Tier 4: Minimal risk |
Indoor activities ordered closed:
|
Available here |
Nevada County | Landing Page | Stay-at-Home Order | Reopening Plan | Tier 3: Moderate risk |
Available here |
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Orange County | Landing Page | Following Governor Newsom: Stay-at-Home Executive Order | Reopening Resources |
Indoor activities ordered closed:
|
Available here |
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Placer County | Landing Page | Following Governor Newsom: Stay-at-Home Executive Order | Reopening Plan | Tier 3: Moderate risk |
N/A |
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Plumas County | Landing Page | Following Governor Newsom: Stay-at-Home Executive Order | Reopening Plan | Tier 3: Moderate risk |
N/A |
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Riverside County | Landing Page | Following Governor Newsom: Stay-at-Home Executive Order | Reopening Plan |
Indoor activities ordered closed:
|
N/A |
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Sacramento County | Landing Page | Stay-at-Home Order | Reopening Plan | Tier 3: Moderate risk |
Indoor activities ordered closed:
|
N/A |
San Benito County | Landing Page | Following Governor Newsom: Stay-at-Home Executive Order | Reopening Guidance |
Indoor activities ordered closed:
|
N/A |
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San Bernardino County | Landing Page | Following Governor Newsom: Stay-at-Home Executive Order | Reopening Plan |
N/A |
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San Diego County | Landing Page | Stay-at-Home Order | Reopening Plan |
Indoor activities ordered closed:
|
||
San Francisco City and County | Landing Page | Stay-at-Home Order | Reopening Plan | |||
San Joaquin County | Landing Page | Stay-at-Home Order | Reopening Plan |
Bars and indoor activities ordered closed. |
N/A |
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San Luis Obispo County | Landing Page | Following Governor Newsom: Stay-at-Home Executive Order | Reopening Plan | |||
San Mateo County | Landing Page | Stay-at-Home Order | Reopening Plan | Tier 3: Moderate risk |
Indoor activities ordered closed:
|
N/A |
Santa Barbara County | Landing Page | Stay-at-Home Order | Reopening Plan |
Indoor activities ordered closed:
|
Available here |
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Santa Clara County | Landing Page | Stay-at-Home Order |
Indoor activities ordered closed:
|
N/A |
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Santa Cruz County | Landing Page | Stay-at-Home Order | Reopening Guidance | Tier 3: Moderate risk |
Removed from State monitoring list on August 17, 2020. Indoor activities that
|
N/A |
Shasta County | Landing Page | Following Governor Newsom: Stay-at-Home Executive Order | Reopening Plan | Tier 3: Moderate risk |
N/A |
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Sierra County | Landing Page | Following Governor Newsom: Stay-at-Home Executive Order | Reopening Resources | Tier 4: Minimal risk |
Indoor activities ordered closed:
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N/A |
Siskiyou County | Landing Page | Following Governor Newsom: Stay-at-Home Executive Order | Reopening Plan | Tier 3: Moderate risk |
N/A |
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Solano County | Landing Page | Stay-at-Home Order | Reopening Plan | Tier 3: Moderate risk |
Indoor activities ordered closed:
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N/A |
Sonoma County | Landing Page | Stay-at-Home Order | Reopening Plan | Tier 3: Moderate risk |
Indoor activities ordered closed:
|
N/A |
Stanislaus County | Following Governor Newsom: Stay-at-Home Executive Order |
Indoor activities ordered closed:
|
N/A |
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Sutter County | Landing Page | Following Governor Newsom: Stay-at-Home Executive Order | Tier 2: Substantial risk |
N/A |
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Tehama County | Landing Page | Following Governor Newsom: Stay-at-Home Executive Order | Reopening Plan | Tier 3: Moderate risk |
N/A |
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Trinity County | Landing Page | Following Governor Newsom: Stay-at-Home Executive Order | Tier 4: Minimal risk |
Indoor activities ordered closed as of August 26:
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N/A |
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Tulare County | Landing Page | Following Governor Newsom: Stay-at-Home Executive Order | Reopening Plan |
Indoor activities ordered closed:
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N/A |
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Tuolumne County | Landing Page | Following Governor Newsom: Stay-at-Home Executive Order | Reopening Plan |
N/A |
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Ventura County | Landing Page | Stay-at-Home Order |
Indoor activities ordered closed:
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N/A |
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Yolo County | Landing Page | Following Governor Newsom: County Order Rescinded | Reopening Plan |
Group gatherings capped at 16 people maximum Indoor activities ordered closed:
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N/A |
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Yuba County | Landing Page | Following Governor Newsom: Stay-at-Home Executive Order | Tier 3: Moderate risk |
Indoor activities ordered closed:
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N/A |