Stanislaus County met the requirements to move into the less restrictive orange tier in the state's Blueprint for a Safer Economy, one week before the tier assignments are expected to come to an end.
The orange tier, which goes into effect Wednesday, allows for more activities to resume and businesses and organizations to expand operations. Under the orange tier restaurants can offer indoor dining at 50 percent capacity or 200 people maximum; retail stores can open with no capacity limits; wineries and breweries can have 25 percent capacity or 100 people indoor maximum; gyms and fitness centers can reopen indoor pools and bring capacity up to 25 percent; movie theaters can bring in 50 percent capacity or 200 people, whichever is less; and zoos, museums and aquariums can have indoor capacity at 50 percent.
“Reaching Orange Tier is reflective of our community’s conscious efforts in stopping the spread of COVID-19 and getting vaccinated,” said Dr. Julie Vaishampayan, Stanislaus County Public Health Officer. “As more people get vaccinated, the closer we get to ending this pandemic and saving lives. An additional benefit to getting vaccinated right now is that it will give people a chance to win incentives.”
Stanislaus County has been allocated 314,956 doses of vaccines and has 32 percent of the population completely vaccinated. Vaccines are available to individuals aged 12 and over by appointment or walk-in.
Those who get vaccinated between May 27 to June 15 can receive a $50 store gift card or be entered to win cash prizes through California’s Vax For The Win program. Californians who have already received at least one dose are eligible to win the following cash prizes: $50,000 cash price to 15 winners on Friday; and $1.5 million each to 10 total winners on June 15.
Additionally, for each student getting vaccinated, Stanislaus County Public Health will contribute $1 to their school’s student body fund.
Stanislaus County had an adjusted case rate of 5 per 100,000, a positivity rate of 3 percent and 2.4 percent for underserved areas.
As of Tuesday, Stanislaus County has recorded 56,417 positive cases of COVID-19 and 1,068 deaths from the virus.
On June 15, COVID-19 restrictions are expected to end in California. There will be no restrictions on capacities and physical distancing. The state will follow the California Department of Public Health's guidelines on masking. Vaccine verification or a negative test will be required for large indoor events and recommended for large outdoor event.
Community members are encouraged to visit MyTurn.ca.gov or call 1-833-540-0473 to find the nearest vaccination site, if they choose to make an appointment. For rules, eligibility, and more details, please visit, Vax for the Win website at https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/Pages/COVID-19/Vax-Win-Terms.aspx. Vaccinations are always free and open to those who live and work in Stanislaus County regardless of immigration status. For more information on mobile clinics and other mass vaccination clinic sites, please visit www.schsa.org/coronavirus/.
