San Joaquin County got a little relief this week as we moved from the Purple Tier to the Red Tier. This news is excellent and carries all of us closer to re-engaging in regular activities.

In its press release, the San Joaquin County of Public Health Services said, “Today, the Health and Human Services Secretary Mark Ghaly announced that San Joaquin County had met the two-week threshold necessary to move from Tier 1 (Widespread) to Tier 2 (Substantial) – Red Tier. After being in the Purple Tier for several weeks, this new designation will allow San Joaquin County to reopen several businesses for indoor operations as provided under the State’s guidelines “(http://www.sjcphs.org/)

Entering the red tier allows more indoor places to open and many at 100 or fewer capacity. The guidelines still remain: stand 6 ft. apart, wear a mask, wash your hands, get tested, and staying home is recommended. Places in the red tier that may open include: Personal care services, restaurants, places of worship, museums, zoos, aquariums, movie theaters, gyms and fitness centers, hotels and lodging, malls and retail.
Open businesses have restrictions guidelines to abide by, but it is a start to a semi everyday life again.

COVID-19 is still out there, and we need to remain diligent, but the reopening of previously closed businesses is a welcome sight. With proper care and following precautions, this will help us end mandated quarantine sooner than later.