Riverside County will be able to operate in the orange tier Wednesday

Governor Gavin Newsom held a press conference as California reaches 20 million vaccines administered, including 4 million in the hardest-hit communities.

16 counties are moving to less restrictive tiers, Riverside County is one of them.

The change means that:

• Bars will be able to reopen outdoors only. This marks the first time since June 2020 that bars that don't serve food are able to operate
• Retail businesses may increase capacity to 100 percent indoors
• Places of worship, movie theaters, restaurants, as well as museums, zoos and aquariums may increase indoor capacity to 50 percent with modifications
• Gyms, as well as wineries, breweries and distilleries may increase indoor capacity to 25 percent indoors with modifications.

Starting April 15, meetings, receptions and conferences are allowed indoors up to 150, if all guests are tested or fully vaccinated.

Check Out: What it looks like as Coachella Valley businesses prepare to move into the Orange Tier

Governor Newsom also stated that California will be able to operate business as usual, without the colored tier system, by June 15th.

“It’s not done soon enough in my opinion and I’m very glad that things are opening up,” said local resident David Salas. “Just the fact that everything is opening up and people are able to get out. That’s a good thing,” added Salas. Residents are looking forward to their daily lives going back to normal. “I think it’s encouraging and I think we need encouragement right now," said another local resident Ray Jacobs. He also expressed his excitement to go back to the gym, something he hasn't done in a year.

Other reopening guidelines in the orange and other tiers can be found under the Blueprint for a Safer Economy.

“Please continue to be safe as you’re going to more places in the community. Continue to wear your mask and patronize those businesses that are taking the safeguards seriously,” said Riverside County public information officer, Brooke Federico. Federico said Riverside County must stay in the orange tier for a minimum of three weeks and then we will need to meet the yellow tier metrics for two of those weeks in order to progress into the yellow tier.

News Channel 3's Taban Sharifi will break down what, if any, changes are happening and when you can expect them to happen. Tune in tonight live at 5 p.m.

Stay up-to-date with the latest local coronavirus news, including reopenings and closing, new case data, live news conferences, and other updates at KESQ.com/Coronavirus or download the News Channel 3 app on the Apple Store and Google Play.

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