LA County May Enter Less Restrictive Yellow Tier by May 5

April 27, 2021 The Los Angeles County Health Department announced today that the area is enjoying case numbers and test positivity rates that set it on course to move from the orange to the less restrictive yellow tier. Should the numbers hold up for another week, the region may be able to enter the yellow tier as early as May 5.

For over a year, LA County was stuck in the most restrictive purple tier. Then, as the January surge subsided and vaccinations began, the county began to see a rapid diminution in case numbers, hospitalizations, and deaths. The area moved down to the red tier in March, the orange tier later in March, and is now poised to go down to the yellow tier.

The main difference between the orange and the yellow tiers is the number of people allowed to gather together. Outdoor gatherings can double in size from 50 to 100 people. At private events with guest lists, as many as 200 people may gather, but only outdoors. If guests can show proof of vaccination, this can grow up to 400 people. Bars can also open for indoor service at 25% capacity.

Here's a non-exhaustive list:

• Indoor seated live events and performances: All venues in-state visitors only with weekly worker testing, digital tickets, pre-designated eating area with six feet of distance, and suites 25% capacity with a max of three households. For venues up to 1,500 people: Max 25% or 300 people. That rises to 50% if all guests are vaccinated or show proof of full vaccination. For venues 1,501 and above: 10% capacity or 2,000 whatever is fewer with modifications and no eating or drinking. That rises to 50% if all guests are tested or show proof of full vaccination.

• Limited services: Open with modifications.

• Outdoor playgrounds and outdoor recreational facilities: Open with modifications.

• Hair salons and barbershops: Open indoors with modifications.

• All retail: Open indoors with modifications.

• Shopping centers: Open indoors with modifications. Reduced capacity food courts.

• Personal care services: Open indoors with modifications.

• Museums, zoos and aquariums: Open indoors with modifications.

• Places of worship: Open indoors with modifications. Max 50% capacity.

• Movie theaters: Open indoors with modifications. Max 50% capacity.

• Hotels and lodging: Open with modifications. Fitness and spa centers 50%.

• Gyms and fitness centers: Open indoors with modifications and max 50% capacity. This includes steam rooms and saunas.

• Restaurants: Open indoors with modifications and max 50% capacity.

• Bars (where no meal is provided): Open indoors with modifications and max 25% capacity or 100 people, whichever is fewer.

• Wineries, breweries and distilleries: Open indoors with modifications. Max 50% capacity or 200 people indoors, whichever is fewer.

• Family entertainment centers: Indoors max 50% capacity that rises to 75% if all guests are tested or show proof of full vaccination. With modifications: 100% masking except for food and beverage service, which must be restricted to separate areas.

• Cardrooms, satellite wagering: Open indoors with modifications and max 50% capacity.

• Offices: Open indoors with modifications. Encourage telework.

• Sports and live performances: Max 67%, includes suites with 25% occupancy per suite. In-state visitors only. Indoor concessions in designated areas.

• Amusement parks: Max 35%. Indoor capacity max 25% with time restrictions, weekly worker testing, and in-state visitors only.

• Overnight sleepaway camps: Effective June 1 open with modifications.