What it looks like as Coachella Valley businesses prepare to move into the Red Tier

State officials announced Tuesday that Riverside County will be moving to the Red Tier. The change going into effect on Wednesday, March 17th.

“The start of recovery is what it means,” said Damon Rubio, the president for D'Place Entertainment with the Mary Pickford Theater. The Mary Pickford will be ready to open showtimes, indoors at a limited 25% capacity, Friday.

“We saw a lot of movement last week, we saw a lot of movement this week, and you’re going to see even more movement next week,” said California Governor Gavin Newsom in a press conference Tuesday.

Masks will be required at the theater and they will be adding more sanitation measures. “We’re really doing a lot to continue making the environment safe so even the folks who haven’t had a chance to have the vaccine yet can feel comfortable coming out knowing the risk is low,” said Damon. The auditoriums will also be spaced out. Your party will be able to sit together but there will be a distance of at least two seats between you and other parties. The drive in will also remain an option for people in the mean time. All tickets are able to be purchased online, this also helps with safety measures.

Gyms are another big business that will be back in business indoors at 10% capacity. “I know working out makes people so happy and I know routine makes them so happy so I am excited for both of those things to get back to, whether it’s a new normal or whatever normal it is, I am ready for a semblance of that,” said Jay Nixon, the owner of Thrive Fitness Studio in Palm Desert. He is optimistic about this red tier change. “I feel like this is going to stick, I feel like we are out in front of where we have been in the past,” added Nixon.

According to the California blueprint for a safer economy, moving to the red tier means lesser restrictions on some businesses.

WHAT ELSE CHANGES FROM PURPLE TO RED?

• Restaurants indoors (max 25% capacity or 100 people, whichever is fewer)
• All retail indoors (max 50% capacity)
• Shopping centers indoors (max 50% capacity, closed common areas)
• Museums, zoos, and aquariums indoors (max 25% capacity)
• Nail salons/personal care services can continue operating indoors with modifications
• Places of worship indoors (max 25% capacity or 100 people, whichever is fewer)
• Movie theaters indoors (max 25% capacity or 100 people, whichever is fewer)
• Gyms and fitness centers indoors (max 10% capacity)