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This afternoon, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced that Humboldt County has been moved from the orange-colored Tier 3, indicating “moderate” risk of community COVID-19 transmission, down to the yellow-colored Tier 4, indicating “minimal” risk.

The status change, which was triggered by our county’s low positivity and case rates over the past three weeks, allows for a loosening of restrictions. Most indoor businesses can reopen their doors — with modifications — under Tier 4. 

Bars, wineries, gyms and fitness centers, for example, can allow up to 50 percent capacity indoors, with certain public health modifications. Museums, zoos and aquariums, meanwhile, are no longer limited to 50 percent capacity. Click here to see a full breakdown of allowed activities in each tier. 

During a break in today’s Board of Supervisors meeting, First District Supervisor Rex Bohn took to Facebook to congratulate local residents. 

“Good Job Humboldt we are now in the lowest tier possible the State of California has to offer,” he wrote. “This is all you guys and gals in Humboldt. Doing the right thing to get us here.”

Humboldt County Health Officer Dr. Teresa Frankovich plans to answer media questions on Wednesday about the local data improvements that prompted the state to move us into this less restrictive tier.

As of today, Humboldt is one of just seven counties in the state to be in Tier 4, and the other six have just a fraction of our population. We’re currently averaging just two new cases per 100,000 people per day with a testing positivity rate of 1.5 percent.