With COVID-19 cases falling and vaccination rates rising, Santa Clara County last week moved into the least restrictive tier in the state’s reopening framework, and local officials are eliminating many of the safety requirements that had previously been in place.
The county entered the yellow tier, the lowest level, May 19. In addition to the loosened state-level restrictions the yellow tier confers, county health officer Dr. Sara Cody rescinded the county’s existing health order and replaced it with a less restrictive one.
“We are in a very different and much safer place than we have been before,” Cody said at a May 18 press conference. “As a result, we are able to make some significant changes in our county.”
The previous “risk reduction order” from October is no longer in place, and the new order is “very simple,” with just three requirements, according to Cody: Businesses and government entities determine the vaccination status of their personnel; they follow additional safety rules for unvaccinated people; and COVID-19 cases continue to be reported to the county.
If someone declines to report their vaccination status to their employer, county counsel James Williams said the employee must follow the safety rules that apply to those who haven’t been vaccinated.
All other local requirements are being retired, Williams said, including the directive to maximize telework and the mandate for businesses to submit and implement a social-distancing protocol.
Moving into the yellow tier also means health restrictions implemented by the state are loosened, including limits placed on restaurants and bars, gyms and movie theaters.
Although the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention eased its masking recommendations last week, California is keeping its existing mask rules in place until June 15. After that, the state will allow those who are fully vaccinated to forgo a mask indoors in most circumstances.
Currently, face coverings are required indoors regardless of vaccination status, except in one’s own home or in limited other circumstances. Outdoors, those who are unvaccinated have to wear a mask unless they can maintain physical distancing, but fully vaccinated people don’t have to wear a mask outdoors in most settings.
At the outdoor press conference May 18, Cody, Williams and other officials didn’t wear masks, which Cody said was to model the current guidance.
“I will admit to you, it is difficult after wearing this mask for so long to feel comfortable without it on – despite the fact that I am vaccinated,” Cody said. “It’s going to take time for many of us to make that change.”
Vaccination push
County Supervisor Susan Ellenberg expressed her gratitude to county residents for the steps they’ve taken to fight the pandemic, pointing to COVID-19 case rates “declining sharply” and saying that “tremendous progress” has been made with vaccinations.
“We are getting closer to pre-pandemic normalcy,” she said. “The light at the end of the tunnel is brighter and closer than ever, because the residents of Santa Clara County have stepped up.”
The COVID-19 case rate is one-third of what it was a month ago, Cody said, and the rate of COVID tests coming back positive sits at roughly 0.5%, the lowest the county has recorded. Most notable, Cody said, is the fact that more than 75% of county residents age 16 and older have had at least one vaccine shot, and nearly 60% are fully vaccinated.
County officials urged residents who remain unvaccinated to sign up to get their shot. Vaccines are available to those 12 years old and up, and the county is offering drop-in opportunities at various sites. More information on getting vaccinated is available at sccfreevax.org.
“We have a clear path out of this pandemic,” Cody said. “The COVID vaccines authorized by the Food and Drug Administration are incredibly safe and incredibly effective.”
In addition to preventing illnesses, hospitalizations and death, Cody said the latest research shows the vaccines preventing people from spreading COVID-19.
Williams similarly encouraged people to get vaccinated, saying there’s no better time and appointments are now easy to obtain.
“There’s really no excuse,” he said. “Based on everything we know, this is our best pathway forward, and we urge everyone to get vaccinated right now.”
Although the county is still pushing to get more people vaccinated, Cody struck a positive tone, saying she feels optimistic “for the first time in a long time.”
“Let’s all look forward to a wonderful summer, where we can all be and feel a bit safer, and return to normal,” she said.
