Marin County Remains In Tier 1 Coronavirus Risk Status

MARIN COUNTY, CA — Marin County was notified Monday night that the state of California has delayed the reopening of more businesses as the county remains in Tier 1 for coronavirus cases.

The county on Friday announced its planned move from Tier 1 to Tier 2, but on Monday the state delayed that move and kept Marin in Tier 1. Businesses that won't be able to reopen until the county is in Tier 2 include indoor personal care services, indoor dining, indoor gyms, movie theaters, indoor houses of worship, and expanded capacity at indoor retail establishments and malls.

On Aug. 28, California introduced its Blueprint for a Safer Economy, which included the four-tier framework used to measure county restrictions. Tier 1 means widespread COVID-19 risk and is the most restrictive status.

The decision to keep Marin in Tier 1 comes after the state reanalyzed its data and used a new method to calculate a county's case rate and a new adjustment for counties testing more than the state average.

"We want to move carefully and base our decisions on local data," said Dr. Matt Willis, the county's public health officer. "We're well prepared to move forward, but ultimately this is the state's decision. In the new framework the state has a lot more control about what moves and what doesn't."

Marin public health officials have requested an adjucation process, meaning a review, with state officials before a final determination is made. A final determination of the county's status is anticipated before the end of the week, Willis said.