One week ago, Marin’s expected reopening of an array of business sectors for the first time since late June was halted by the state of California’s unexpected decision to alter its methodology for calculating key COVID-19 metrics. The controversial move pushed Marin from the red “tier 2” it was slated to move into on Sept. 8 back into the purple “tier 1” it’s been in since the state debuted its new Blueprint for a Safer Economy framework in late August.
That methodological shift could have had disastrous consequences for local businesses hoping for a resumed reopening as we head into the fall, but County of Marin officials successfully convinces the state today week to reconsider its decision on Marin via an adjudication process this week.
As a result, the following reopenings take effect Tuesday, Sept. 15:
- Retail establishments are allowed to open indoors at 50% capacity
- Personal care services are allowed to open indoors
- Museums are allowed to open indoors with 25% capacity
- Places of worship are allowed to open with 25% capacity or 100 people, whichever is fewer
- Movie theaters are allowed to open indoors with 25% capacity or 100 people, whichever is fewer
- Gyms are allowed to open indoors with 10% capacity
- Restaurants are allowed to open indoors with 25% capacity or 100 people, whichever is fewer, for the first time since when Marin was placed on the watch list as a result of a sustained spike in COVID-19 metrics. Marin indoor dining’s return was previously reversed in early July after it was allowed to open allowed to open on June 29
- Hair salons and barbershops could move to 50 percent of their space’s maximum capacity indoors.
- Hotels, which were allowed to open on Aug. 24, would be allowed to open their fitness centers at 10 percent capacity.
“We’ve made a lot of progress, and this gives us more choices as residents,” said Dr. Matt Willis, Marin County Public Health Officer. “But more freedom also brings more risk. Our challenge is to move forward without increasing transmission. We’re at a critical juncture.”
MORE INFO AT THE MARIN RECOVERS WEBSITE.
INFO ON OPEN RESTAURANTS THROUGHOUT MARIN, INCLUDING MILL VALLEY.