From the Humboldt County Joint Information Center:

California Governor Newsom today announced an entirely new statewide approach to managing business reopenings during the COVID-19 pandemic, replacing the County Monitoring List with a four-tier system. Changes will take effect locally early next week after the County Health Officer and local businesses have time to understand and adapt to this new framework.

According to the state’s new framework, Humboldt County is in Tier 3 or Moderate status. While this would allow some businesses that were closed by the Governor to reopen with safety modifications in place, other businesses would face additional, unanticipated restrictions. Humboldt County Health Officer Dr. Teresa Frankovich said Public Health and the EOC just received these guidance documents today and is reviewing them and what they mean for Humboldt County. 

“I think this is good news for Humboldt County, but some of our businesses may look a little different under these regulations,” she said. “Both the county and our local business owners need time to ensure that we all understand what is required in this framework and to make sure that it is a good fit locally.

“The State has obviously had a lot of time to review and modify this guidance and it is critically important that we here in Humboldt have that same opportunity before leaping forward,” Dr. Frankovich said. “I expect to align closely with this new framework, but until we actually have the opportunity to review the guidance, Humboldt remains at status quo under the Health Officer’s authority. I expect that we will move forward possibly as early as Monday or Tuesday.”

For the most recent COVID-19 information, visit cdc.gov or cdph.ca.gov. Local information is available at humboldtgov.org or during business hours by contacting covidinfo@co.humboldt.ca.us or calling 707-441-5000.