Alameda County Enters Orange Tier & Vaccine Eligibility Expanded

Alameda County Advances to Orange Tier 

Effective March 31, 2021, the Alameda County Public Health Officer has declared that due to a continued decline in new case numbers and hospitalizations, the County is now operating in the Orange (Moderate) Tier of the State’s Blueprint for a Safer Economy. This tier provides further allowances for reopening, as indicated below. The wearing of face masks, regular handwashing, and social distancing is still essential to keep the case numbers from rebounding.

• Office workspaces may open, but teleworking is still strongly encouraged. Office safety guidelines are forthcoming and will be shared at https://covid-19.acgov.org/recovery when ready
• Restaurants may open indoors at 50% maximum capacity or 200 people, whichever is fewer
• Bars (where meals are not served) may open outdoors, but are required to register via the Temporary Outdoor Facilities Registration program.
• Retail and shopping centers may open indoors at full capacity, and food courts are permitted per indoor dining restrictions
• Grocery stores may open at full capacity, while following retail industry guidance (same as Red Tier)
• Movie theaters may open indoors at 50% maximum capacity or 200 people, whichever is fewer
• Museums, zoos, and aquariums may open indoors at 50% maximum capacity
• Gyms, fitness centers, and studios (including at hotels) may open indoors at 25% maximum capacity (climbing walls are permitted)
• Indoor pools may open
• Wineries, breweries, and distilleries (where meals are not served) may open indoor at 25% capacity, or 100 people, whichever is fewer
• Family entertainment centers may open indoors at 25% maximum capacity for naturally distanced activities (such as bowling alleys and escape rooms)

Vaccine Update

Per a State mandate, all adults 50 years of age and older are eligible for COVID-19 vaccination starting April 1, 2021. On April 15, all California residents 16 and older will be eligible for vaccination, as supply permits.

At this time, nearly 39% of Alameda County adults have received at least one dose of the vaccine, while nearly 24% have been fully vaccinated.

All three vaccines, Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson, are available in Alameda County, though selectively, depending on locations. Visit the Alameda County Public Health Department’s website to learn more about the vaccines, and how to schedule an appointment.