California, the first state to implement a lockdown due to the coronavirus pandemic, plans to fully reopen the state’s operations and businesses from June 15, based on declining infection rates and low hospital admissions in the state, Health and Human Services Mark Ghaly announced Tuesday on.
Given the high number of Covid-19 vaccinations administered so far – exceeding 20 million doses today – the state will discontinue use of the four-tier system, the “Blueprint for a Safer Economy,” which was launched last August. year in effect. Ghaly cited a ‘stable and low burden of disease’ along with ‘ongoing improvements and low hospital admissions’ in the state as reasoning for the plan to reopen.
California reported the lowest positivity rate in the country at 1.7%, a long way from its 17.1% peak in early January, when the state was reeling from a post-holiday wave.
The entire state will reopen as a whole on June 15, instead of taking the province-by-province approach that has been used for most of a year to tighten and relax restrictions.
State health officials will continue to use science and data to guide the reopening and variants will be closely monitored, Ghaly promised, adding that “necessary precautions” will be taken if there is a disturbing rise in Covid-19 hospitalizations.
California’s mask mandate remains in effect, specifically targeting what Ghaly calls “ risky ” indoor environments. “Masking is an important protective function, protecting those who are not yet eligible for a vaccine,” said Ghaly.
California vaccination rates: To date, California has administered more than 7 million more vaccine doses than any other state, according to Ghaly, surpassing many other countries, including France and Germany. About 70% of older Californians have received at least one dose of the vaccine and more than 4 million doses have been administered in the most affected communities of the state.
“We look at the supply and availability of vaccines. If the stock is not there, we can adjust that date of June 15th. We need to make sure that all Californians interested in and eligible for vaccination are given a reasonable time to get it, ”said Ghaly.
There is currently no plan to enforce or have a vaccine passport plan in California, but certain companies are already exploring the possibility of verifying that their customers have been vaccinated.
“Part of the idea is that we can move up safely and it will also be an incentive because people are allowed to do more activities because they have been vaccinated,” said state economic adviser Dee Dee Myers.
Some industries, such as large conferences with more than 5,000 people, must demonstrate that all attendees have been vaccinated or tested. That restriction will remain in effect until October 1. Ghaly also spoke about the multi-day Coachella music festival that draws thousands to the Southern California desert every year, noting that it may not be able to reopen to the same size and scope, but state officials are working with organizers and event planners to ensure the safety of all participants.
Since Covid-19 first began threatening the world, nearly 3.6 million Californians have been infected and more than 58,000 died as a result.