(ALAMEDA COUNTY, Calif.) Alameda and Napa counties reached the least-restrictive yellow tier stage of California's reopening plan early this week, ahead of the June 15 statewide reopening.
Gov. Gavin Newsom indicated in late May that he plans to lift most pandemic-related health restrictions on June 15. Despite the reopening, the governor's extended emergency powers will remain in place after the reopening date.
Alameda and Napa make six Bay Area counties that have reached the least restrictive yellow tier. Contra Costa, Sonoma and Solano counties remain in the orange or "moderate" tier.
As of June 7, the seven-day case average for Contra Costa County was 47 with 58 new cases. While both of those numbers remain slightly higher than the averages in Alameda and Napa counties, they mark a substantial decrease from the new case rate and seven day average of January of this year. This steady decrease points to the success of vaccination distribution througout the greater Bay Area.
While the differences are minimal, the notification symbolizes a partial return to normalcy for Bay Area residents after more than a year living with varying degrees of shut-down orders in place.
As of June 7, the seven-day case average for Alameda County was 31 and similarly, the seven-day case average for Napa County on the same date was 2. Those numbers are starkly lower than January of this year when 7-day averages were hovering around 110.
Despite this expected reopening, some residents and business owners are hesitant that anything substantial will change. As part of the reopening, fully vaccinated restaurant patrons will not have to wear masks inside.