By TREVIN BRANDT
Staff Writer
For the first time ever, Tulare County has officially entered the Red Tier of California’s COVID-19 reopening plan. Ever since Governor Gavin Newsom created these state-wide, county-identifying guidelines, Tulare County has been in the most restrictive tier, the Purple Tier. For months, the Purple Tier meant that a county is receiving more than seven daily COVID-19 cases per 100,000 people. Recently, this was changed from seven to ten, making it easier for many counties to reach the Red Tier. This includes Tulare, Riverside, Monterey, Sacramento, San Diego, and Santa Barbra. Governor Newsom claims this decision was made based on the successful vaccination efforts of the state. Skeptics of the Governor have claimed that the recall effort against him, which has received more than enough signatures required, has caused him to loosen up on his heavy guidelines.
Now that Tulare County is in the Red Tier, many businesses that haven’t been open since last March can legally reopen in person. Movie theaters, indoor dining, schools, sports stadiums, and live performances are just a handful of activities that are allowed to operate in the Red Tier under face covering and physical distancing regulations.
Many people are beginning to feel hope that this virus is coming to an end with news like this and the successful vaccination rates. While we begin to reopen, it is important to continue social distancing and wearing masks per the CDC’s recommendations.