Marin County Moves Into Less-Restrictive Orange Tier

MARIN COUNTY, CA — Some businesses can reopen for the first time, while others can increase their indoor capacity, after Marin County moved into the less-restrictive orange tier Tuesday.

The orange tier is the second-lowest tier in the state's four-tiered, color-coded risk system and indicates a "moderate" COVID-19 risk level.

These are the primary changes allowed under the state order as Marin moves into Tier 3:

• Allowed indoors at full capacity: retail establishments; indoor malls; libraries; office space (although continued telework is encouraged)
• Allowed indoors at 50 percent capacity or 200 people (whichever is fewer): restaurants; museums; places of worship; movie theaters
• Allowed indoors at 25 percent capacity or 100 people (whichever is fewer): gyms and fitness centers (and can utilize indoor pools); family entertainment centers; wineries; card rooms
• Allowed outdoors only: bars and breweries

Fewer daily cases, a reduction in the proportion of positive tests among those who are tested, and progress in addressing the county's lowest-income communities played a part in the state's determination, county officials said. Officials credited the move to Marin's "high rate of testing combined with a measured approach to reopening."

"We've all made sacrifices to get in front of this pandemic in Marin," said Dr. Matt Willis, the county's public health officer. "This progress is a sign of what we can do. But it way too early to let up."

Residents are asked to continue to wear face coverings, practice social distancing and avoid large group gatherings, especially as flu season arrives and holidays approach.

"Just last week, Marin reached 100 COVID-19 deaths," Willis said. "It's important to rethink the traditions to gather during the holidays, especially as flu season arrives. Our collective actions over the next few weeks will decide if we can retain this level of reopening."