Alameda County Moves Into Red Tier, But No Businesses Reopening

ALAMEDA COUNTY, CA — The state has downgraded Alameda County into the second tier of the state's four-tiered, color-coded COVID-19 risk system.

Previously, Alameda County was in tier one, or the purple tier, indicating widespread risk. Tier two, or the red tier, represents substantial risk.

Alameda County was one of several in California that progressed to the red tier, the state health department's website indicated Tuesday morning. This means that the state will allow more Alameda County businesses to reopen, should the county health department approve.

The health department indicated in a news release that it will tread carefully, "As with all other re-openings, it will be important for Alameda County to take a measured and phased approach to avoid dramatic increases in disease transmission and re-closures. As we did when the Blueprint for a Safer Economy was first announced, we are carefully examining the potential impact of activities that may be permitted to reopen or expand in the Red Tier."

Counties that remain in the red tier for two weeks may consider reopening schools for in-person instruction. The health department acknowledged the importance of in-person learning, especially for young children, but expressed caution, "Bringing students back for in-person learning is a top priority for the next phase of reopening. Though counties in the Red Tier are permitted to open schools for in-person learning after two weeks in the Red Tier, our Health Officer Order issued on August 28 clarified that schools must continue distance learning until such time that local conditions support in-person learning, even if the County meets the State’s criteria for in-person learning."

The state permits counties in the red tier to reopen the following businesses and services indoors, with modifications:

• shopping centers (50 percent capacity; closed common areas and reduced-capacity food courts)
• restaurants (25 percent capacity)
• fitness centers (10 percent capacity)
• places of worship (25 percent capacity or 100 people — whichever is fewer)
• nail salons
• massage facilities
• museums (25 percent capacity)
• zoos (25 percent capacity)
• aquariums (25 percent capacity)
• movie theaters (25 percent capacity or 100 people — whichever is fewer)

While other counties have immediately loosened restrictions when going from purple to red, Alameda County will take a more cautious approach, "At this time, there is no change to permitted or prohibited activities in Alameda County."

As of noon Tuesday, there have been 20,641 cases of the coronavirus in Alameda County, statistics show. There have been 374 COVID-19-related deaths.

Patch editor Bea Karnes contributed to this report.