Many local businesses get okay to modify reopening under state's Blueprint for Safe Economy

On Tuesday, October 13, Kings County was reassigned from the Purple Tier to the less restrictive Red Tier. 

Under this model, industries may open based on their county’s current risk tier status. The framework lays out the measures that each county must meet, based on indicators that capture disease burden, testing, and health equity

The following sectors may modify their reopening status in accordance with Red Tier assignment:

• Gyms and Fitness Centers – May open indoors, 10% capacity
• Hotels and Lodging – Open with modifications + fitness centers
• Movie Theaters – May open indoors, 25% capacity or 100 people, whichever is fewer
• Museums, Zoos, and Aquariums – May open indoors, 25% capacity
• Personal Care Services – May open indoors
• Places of Worship – May open indoors, 25% capacity or 100 people, whichever is fewer
• Restaurants – May open indoors, 25% capacity or 100 people, whichever is fewer
• Retail – May open indoors, 50% capacity
• Shopping Centers – May open indoors, 50% capacity, closed common areas,
• food-court capacity of 25% or 100 people, whichever is fewer

All sectors are required to follow industry-specific guidance on health and safety precautions.  For a detailed description of the required modifications in each sector, visit

https://covid19.ca.gov/industry-guidance/. For detailed information about Kings County’s current status and what businesses can open, visit https://covid19.ca.gov/safer-economy/ type “Kings” in the County field and click “Get Latest Status.” 

The following sectors' reopening status has not changed with the current Tier assignment: Bars, Breweries, Distilleries (where no meal provided) – Closed. For bars providing food, follow restaurant opening status limitations.

• Cardrooms, Satellite Wagering – Outdoors only
• Family Entertainment Centers – Outdoors only
• Hair Salons, Barber Shops, and Nail Salons – Open indoors with modifications

In accordance with state guidelines, schools will be able to open for in-person instruction only if the County remains in the Red Tier for two additional weeks after tier assignment. This makes it critically important that the community remains committed to the prevention measures that help slow the spread of COVID-19 and will help the County to maintain its less restrictive tier status:

• Get tested on a regularly
• Wear a mask or face covering
• Avoid gatherings with people outside your household
• Stay home if you are sick
• Practice frequent and thorough hand hygiene
• Cover your coughs and sneezes
• Get a flu shot

These protective measures can help drive down COVID-19 transmission and move Kings County toward a safe and sustained reopening of schools, businesses, and the community at large. Counties must maintain or decrease testing positivity and case rates to avoid moving back to a more restrictive tier, which has already occurred in other counties. It is up to all of us to slow the spread of the virus.

Free testing services are available throughout Kings County 7 days a week. For the current schedule and locations, visit www.kingscovidinfo.com And click on Kings County: Free Mobile Testing Site Schedule. Free masks and hand sanitizers are available at the Mobile Testing Site while supplies last.