Sacramento County continues to be in alignment with Purple/Widespread Tier 1

SACRAMENTO COUNTY, CA (MPG) - In the State of California’s updated Blueprint for a Safer Economy tier structure, Sacramento County is in Purple/Widespread Tier 1, but this week has met criteria of fewer than 14 per 100,000 new COVID-19 cases. This new benchmark allows elementary schools (grades K-6) that hadn’t already, to now reopen with County and State approval based on specified safety plans and mitigation measures for in-person instruction (Note: middle and high schools (grades 7-12) will need to wait for Sacramento County to be in the Red/Substantial Tier 2 criteria to begin reopening for in-person instruction).

Additionally, having met the criteria of fewer than 14 per 100,000 new COVID-19 cases, Sacramento County qualifies for specified CDPH guidance for youth and adult sports activities. Outdoor low-contact, moderate-contact, and high-contact sports are permitted with specific mitigation measures and requirements in the sports guidance. Inter-team competitions are permitted for allowable sports. However, tournaments or competitions involving more than two teams are prohibited.

Effective immediately, the March 3, 2021, Sacramento County Health Order supersedes the County’s Feb. 8 Order and updates school and sports activities and aligns with the State of California updated Blueprint for a Safer Economy tier structure. 

Sacramento County continues to be in alignment with Purple/Widespread Tier 1. 

The following sectors are permitted for OUTDOOR operations only with social distancing, face covering and sanitization:

Cardrooms, satellite wagering; Family Entertainment Centers (e.g. bowling alleys, miniature golf, batting cages, kart racing, skating rinks and arcades); Gyms and fitness centers; Movie theaters (maximum 25% capacity or 100 people, whichever is fewer); Museums, zoos, aquariums; Playgrounds, dog parks, skate parks and recreational facilities; Restaurants; Wineries

Bars, pubs, breweries and distilleries offering sit-down meals may operate outdoors conducted under a tent, canopy or other shelter as long as no more than two sides are enclosed with non-permeable walls and is classified as “outdoor” using CDPH outdoor business structure criteria.

In alignment with Purple Tier 1, the following sectors are open for INDOOR operations with social distancing, face covering, sanitization and *specific modifications:

All retail (*maximum 25% capacity; grocery stores 50% capacity); Places of worship (maximum 25% capacity or 100 people, whichever is fewer; singing/chanting prohibited); Critical infrastructure; Entertainment production, studios, broadcast; Hair salons and barbershops; Hotels and lodging; Libraries (*maximum 25% capacity); Nail salons and electrolysis operations; Personal care services (e.g. body waxing, estheticians, tattoo, massage); Professional sports (*without live audiences); Shopping centers (e.g. malls, destination centers, swap meets, excluding food courts and common areas) (*maximum 25% capacity)

Bars, pubs, breweries and distilleries are prohibited from operating except when serving sit-down, outdoor meals.

This Order will take effect immediately and will be in effect until it is rescinded, superseded or amended in writing by the Health Officer of Sacramento County.

Please review the California Department of Public Health updated face covering mandate, which requires all people in California to wear face coverings when they are outside of the home, with specific exemptions.  As part of the Sacramento County Health Order, it continues to align the County face covering Order with the State mandate.

“We are working with our elementary schools to assist the reopening as safely as possible. Until more in our community are vaccinated, we need to remain vigilant, continue mitigation measures and wear masks in public,” said Sacramento County Health Officer Dr. Olivia Kasirye.

For questions about the Public Health Order, call the Public Health hotline at (916) 875-2400. For complaints about unsafe practices at businesses (e.g. face coverings, social distancing), or violations of the Health Order, dial 3-1-1 or visit to the Sacramento County 311 Connect website, or email, [email protected].

For questions about vaccines in Sacramento County, visit the Vaccination Webpage.