After living under strict coronavirus guidelines for months, Orange, San Bernardino, and Los Angeles counties have officially moved back into the "red tier," which will allow more businesses to reopen including gyms, hair and nail salons, outdoor stadiums and amusement parks, the state announced Friday. 

Orange and San Bernardino counties can reopen businesses starting Sunday, March 14, while LA County can reopen select businesses beginning March 15.

State officials also said in a news release Riverside, Santa Barbara and Ventura counties are also expected to advance to the red tier starting Tuesday, March 16. 

The "red tier," allows for some businesses that officials consider "non-essential" to operate indoors with modifications, including limited capacity. 

Businesses that can reopen indoors under limited capacity include:

• Restaurants 
• Aquariums 
• Churches and places of worship
• Gyms and fitness centers 
• Hair salons and barbershops
• Movie theaters
• Museums 
• Nail salons

California health officials also declared wineries and breweries that don't serve meals can reopen outdoors, paving the way for reopening bars. 

THEME PARKS 

Late last week, the state announced that counties that fell into the red tier could reopen amusement parks, which have been closed for nearly one year.

SPORTS ATTENDANCE 

In addition to theme parks, the state also said counties that fall into the red tier could reopen outdoor venues for sporting events beginning April 1, which happens to be Opening Day for Major League Baseball.

Last month, California public health officials relaxed its rules for youth sports like softball, gymnastics, baseball, and cheerleading to resume where COVID-19 case rates are at or below 14 people per 100,000.

SCHOOLS

Returning to campus for in-person instruction has also been a hot-button issue for many Southern California parents. Some districts are currently operating under a hybrid system for elementary students, while some, including Los Angeles Unified, which is the second-largest school district in the nation, continue with remote learning.

On Monday, LAUSD Superintendent Austin said he believes the district was close to striking a deal with its teachers' union over efforts to restart in-person classes, a move the union wanted to be delayed until school staff were vaccinated and county COVID-19 case rates fall.

Days later and after weeks of negotiations, the LAUSD and UTLA reached a tentative agreement Wednesday night on returning to in-person learning at the end of April. 

On Friday, Los Angeles County said students in grades 7-12 were permitted to return to campuses beginning Monday, March 15. 

SLOW ROAD TO REOPENING CALIFORNIA’S ECONOMY 

Before the winter holidays, the greater majority of California’s 58 counties reverted back to the "purple tier," which is the most restrictive under the state’s Blueprint for a Safer Economy. The purple tier indicates a county’s COVID-19 risk level is widespread. 

Amid the holiday season as many opted to gather or travel against the guidance of health officials, the Golden State saw a surge of coronavirus cases and deaths. 

In response, California then shifted into a regional stay-at-home order because "the rate of increases in new cases continues to escalate and threatens to overwhelm the state’s hospital system, further aggressive action is necessary to respond to the quickly evolving situation," the state said in a press release. 

This went into effect for all of Southern California beginning on December 6, 2020, forcing many businesses to close its indoor operations. 

For restaurants, all in-person dining was banned and eateries could only offer delivery and takeout services.  

On January 25, 2021, the stay-at-home order was lifted, which allowed outdoor dining to resume statewide.

https://www.foxla.com/news/socal-counties-finally-move-to-less-restrictive-tiers