Long Beach Moves into State’s Covid19 Yellow Tier

Long Beach, CA – The Health and Human Services Department has issued an updated Health Order, effective at 11:59 p.m. on May 5, as Long Beach enters the Yellow (Minimal) Tier, the third of four tiers outlined under the State’s Blueprint for a Safer Economy.

“Thanks to our collective efforts to reduce the spread of COVID-19, we can now move into the Yellow Tier,” said Mayor Robert Garcia. “We’re making tremendous progress and it’s important that we all continue to follow the safety measures to keep our community safe.”

Pursuant to guidance issued by the State, below is an overview of the revised Health Order. 

• Social and Informal Gatherings (these gatherings do not require an assigned guest list):
  • Outdoor social gatherings may operate at a maximum capacity of 100 people. 
  • Indoor gatherings are strongly discouraged but are allowed. Capacity is limited to a maximum of 50% capacity in settings (where capacity limits exist) or 50 people, whichever is fewer.
• Bars, where no meal service is provided, may operate indoors and outdoors without serving meals, with modifications. All patrons must remain seated.
  • May operate indoors with modifications, at maximum 25% capacity or 100 people, whichever is fewer.
  • Indoor capacity may increase up to a maximum of 75% of total venue capacity where all attendees are either fully vaccinated attendees or attendees that show proof of a negative COVID-19 test result conducted 72 hours prior to attendance in accordance with the Blueprint for a Safer Economy Chart.
  • Guests at a single table indoors are limited to no more than six people in the same party. Guests at a single table outdoors are limited to no more than eight people in the same party.
• Restaurants that serve bona fide meals may operate indoors and outdoors.
  • Indoor capacity is limited to 50% of maximum occupancy.
  • Brewpubs, breweries, bars, pubs, craft distilleries and wineries without a City restaurant permit may operate indoors at the increased restaurant capacity if the bar sells alcohol in the same transaction as a bona fide meal provided by a City-approved meal provider.
  • Indoor capacity may increase up to a maximum of 75% of total venue capacity where all attendees are either fully vaccinated attendees or attendees that show proof of a negative COVID-19 test result conducted prior to attendance 72 hours prior to attendance, in accordance with the Blueprint for a Safer Economy Chart.
  • Guests at a single table indoors are limited to no more than six people in the same party. Guests at a single table outdoors are limited to no more than eight people in the same party.
• Gyms and Fitness Centers may operate indoors and outdoors.
  • Indoor capacity is limited to 50% of maximum occupancy
  • Indoor capacity may increase to a maximum of 75% of total venue capacity where all attendees are either fully vaccinated attendees or attendees show proof of a negative COVID-19 test result conducted 72 hours prior to attendance, in accordance with the Blueprint for a Safer Economy Chart.
  • Indoor spas, saunas and steam rooms may operate.
• In-Person Religious Services and Cultural Ceremonies:
  • Indoor capacity limited to 50% occupancy is strongly encouraged.
  • Indoor capacity may increase to a maximum of 75% of total venue capacity where all attendees are either fully vaccinated or show proof of a negative COVID-19 test result conducted 72 hours prior to attendance, in accordance with the Blueprint for a Safer Economy Chart.
• Movie Theaters may operate indoors and outdoors.
  • Capacity is limited to 50% of maximum occupancy.
  • Indoor capacity may increase to a maximum of 75% of total venue capacity where all attendees are either fully vaccinated attendees or attendees show proof of a negative COVID-19 test result conducted 72 hours prior to attendance, in accordance with the Blueprint for a Safer Economy Chart.
• Pools, including spas, hot tubs, saunas, steam rooms and splash pads may operate indoors and outdoors.
  • Indoor capacity is limited to 50% of the maximum occupancy
  • Indoor capacity may increase up to a maximum of 75% of total venue capacity where all attendees are either fully vaccinated attendees or attendees that show proof of a negative COVID-19 test result conducted prior to attendance 72 hours prior to attendance, in accordance with the Blueprint for a Safer Economy Chart.
• Organized Community Endurance and Running/Walking Events, such as runs, walks, marathons, triathlons and endurance events, may occur.
  • Capacity is limited to 500 participants per hour, and no more than 1,500 total participants.
  • Capacity may be increased to a maximum of 3,000 where all participants show proof of full COVID-19 vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test result conducted within 72 hours prior to visiting this type of event.
• Indoor Seated Live Events and Performances may operate under the following restrictions and other State requirements.
  • Venues with a capacity of 0 to 1,500 people: 
    • Indoor capacity must be limited to no more than 25% of the maximum occupancy load of the venue or 300 people, whichever is fewer.
    • Capacity may increase to no more than 50% of the maximum occupancy load of the venue where all guests show proof of a negative COVID-19 test result within 72 hours prior to attendance or show proof of full COVID-19 vaccination.
  • Venues with a capacity of 1,501 people and above: 
    • Indoor capacity must be limited to no more than 10% of the maximum occupancy load of the venue or 2,000 people, whichever is fewer.
    • Capacity may increase to no more than 50% of the maximum occupancy load of the venue where all guests show proof of a negative COVID-19 test result within 72 hours prior to attendance or show proof of full COVID-19 vaccination.
• Outdoor Live Events (sports and live performances) may operate under State requirements.
  • Capacity is limited to 67% of maximum occupancy. 
  • Suites limited to 25% maximum occupancy per suite and no more than three different households, physically distanced, or six people from the same household.
• Private Venues and Events (e.g. meetings, receptions and conferences) are distinguished from Private Gatherings in that Private Venues and Events must have defined guest lists and the ability to assign seating for guests.
  • Outdoors
    • Maximum of 200 people permitted at outdoor private events.
    • Capacity of an outdoor private event may increase to a maximum of 400 people where all guests show proof of a negative COVID-19 test result within 72 hours prior to visiting a private event or show proof of full COVID-19 vaccination.
  • Indoors
    • Allowed only if all guests show proof of a negative COVID-19 test result within 72 hours prior to visiting a private event or show proof of full COVID-19 vaccination.
    • Capacity at indoor private events is limited to a maximum of 200 people.
• Family Entertainment Centers may operate indoors and outdoors.
  • Indoor capacity must be limited to 50% of maximum occupancy.
  • Capacity of indoor operations may increase to a maximum of 75% of total venue capacity where all attendees show proof of a negative COVID-19 test result conducted within 72 hours prior to attendance or show proof of full COVID-19 vaccination, in accordance with the Blueprint for a Safer Economy Chart.
• Institutes of Higher Education:
  • In-person instruction is limited to 50% of maximum occupancy.
  • Indoor capacity may increase to a maximum of 75% of total venue capacity where all attendees are either fully vaccinated or show proof of a negative COVID-19 test result conducted 72 hours prior to attendance, in accordance with the Blueprint for a Safer Economy Chart.
• Museums, Galleries, Aquariums and Botanical Gardens may operate indoors and outdoors. Capacity is limited by the number of people that can physically distance 6 ft. or greater in the space.
• Youth and Adult Recreational Sports, including sports identified in Yellow, Orange, Red and Purple Tiers are permitted to resume, in accordance with the Blueprint for a Safer Economy Chart.
• Outdoor Equipment Rental may operate. 
  • Capacity is limited to 50% of maximum occupancy for electric boats.
  • Electric boats may increase their indoor capacity to maximum of 75% of total venue capacity where all attendees are either fully vaccinated attendees or attendees that show proof of a negative COVID-19 test result conducted 72 hours prior to attendance, in accordance with the Blueprint for a Safer Economy Chart.
• Personal Care Establishments:
  • Piercing and tattooing services for the mouth/nose area may resume.
  • Face shields are provided and shall be worn by employees when servicing customers not wearing a face covering while receiving services, such as piercing and tattooing services for the mouth/nose area. The face shield shall be worn in addition to the face covering. Face coverings protect others from the wearer’s droplets; face shields help protect the wearer from other’s droplets. 
• Professional Sports may operate indoors with audiences.
• Small Charter Services may increase their indoor capacity up to a maximum of 75% of total venue capacity where all attendees are either fully vaccinated attendees or attendees that show proof of a negative COVID-19 test result conducted 72 hours prior to attendance, in accordance with the Blueprint for a Safer Economy Chart.
• Smoke Lounges may operate indoors at 50% of maximum indoor occupancy.
  • Indoor capacity may increase up to a maximum of 75% of total venue capacity where all attendees are either fully vaccinated attendees or attendees that show proof of a negative COVID-19 test result conducted 72 hours prior to attendance, in accordance with the Blueprint for a Safer Economy Chart.
• Wineries, Breweries and Craft Distilleries, where no meal service is provided, may operate indoors and outdoors without serving meals.
  • Indoor capacity is limited to 50% of the maximum occupancy or 200 people, whichever is fewer.
  • Indoor capacity may increase up to a maximum of 75% of total venue capacity where all attendees are either fully vaccinated attendees or attendees that show proof of a negative COVID-19 test result conducted 72 hours prior to attendance, in accordance with the Blueprint for a Safer Economy Chart.
  • Guests at a single table indoors are limited to no more than six people in the same party. Guests at a single table outdoors are limited to no more than eight people in the same party.
• Amusement and Theme Parks may continue indoor and outdoor operations, with modifications. Occupancy is limited to 35% of total park occupancy for operations of the park, in accordance with State requirements.
  • Capacity of indoor facilities with the park must be limited to 25% of maximum occupancy.
  • Indoor capacity may increase up to a maximum of 75% of total venue capacity where all attendees are either fully vaccinated attendees or attendees that show proof of a negative COVID-19 test result conducted 72 hours prior to attendance in accordance with the Blueprint for a Safer Economy Chart.

Business owners can call the City’s BizCare Hotline at 562.570.4BIZ (4249), weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. for more information. Businesses operating under these revised protocols are required to understand the guidance and implement all safety measures. Read all revisions to the Health Orderhere. 

The tiered system is based on three key metrics: the number of new cases per day (per 100,000 residents); the positivity rate (number of positive test results compared to all tests administered); and the health equity metric (testing positivity rate in the lowest-resourced areas). The color-coded tiers range from purple (widespread) to yellow (minimal). 

The health equity metric is designed to address the disproportionate case rate of COVID-19 among certain populations. It is based on health equity indicators or conditions that impact public health, such as economic, social, education, transportation, housing and environmental factors. In order to move to a less restrictive tier, the lowest-resourced areas must meet a certain positivity threshold. The health equity metric ensures that individuals affected most by the pandemic are doing well enough that moving the county to the next tier is safe for everyone. 

All of Los Angeles County, which includes Long Beach, was previously in the Orange Tier. In order to advance to the Yellow Tier, the County must have maintained Yellow Tier numbers for two consecutive weeks. That includes a case rate of less than one new case (per 100k) daily, less than 2% positivity rate and less than 2.2% health equity metric.

On June 15, California will move beyond the Blueprint and fully reopen its economy across the state if:

• There is enough vaccine supply for Californians 16 years and older to be vaccinated
• Hospitalization rates remain stable and low, especially among fully vaccinated Californians

The State has indicated, at that time, common sense health measures, including wearing masks will continue, and testing and vaccination requirements will remain for some businesses and industries. 

Face mask requirements for fully vaccinated people have been revised in alignment with CDC and State guidance. Except in crowded settings and venues, fully vaccinated people may gather or conduct activities outdoors without wearing a mask when alone; when with members of their household; when with a small group of fully vaccinated people; and when with a small group of people who are not fully vaccinated and not at high risk for severe illness or death from COVID-19. Fully vaccinated people must wear a mask at crowded outdoor events; in crowded spaces where physical distancing cannot be maintained and it is not known if everyone in the space is fully vaccinated or at high risk for severe illness or death from COVID-19; in indoor public settings, unless expressly permitted by the Health Order; at worksites and businesses; and in any setting where masking is required by the facility operator or by the Health Order.

The City reminds everyone to remain vigilant in practicing all health and safety protocols outlined in the Safer at Home Health Order, including wearing a well-fitted face covering and maintaining appropriate physical distance from others.

As of today, there have been 53,025 COVID-19 cases in Long Beach, and 933 people have died from the virus. More than 300,000 vaccines have been administered; additional vaccination details are available on the COVID-19 Digital Dashboard.