On Monday, Nov. 16, just as Santa Clara County was preparing to return to the Red Tier of COVID restrictions, California Gov. Newsom announced that along with the majority of California counties, Santa Clara County would be required to go back to the restrictions of the most severe tier – Purple (https://covid19.ca.gov/safer-economy/). This measure is being taken to restrict the spread of the virus. 

Read the County’s news release: https://www.sccgov.org/sites/covid19/Pages/press-release-11-16-2020-moving-to-purple-tier.aspx 

The State’s guidance for Purple Tier operations (https://covid19.ca.gov/stay-home-except-for-essential-needs/) provides detailed information on the restrictions, but key specifics that Santa Clara officials mentioned in a press conference on Nov. 16 include:

• No indoor dining allowed
• No indoor gatherings
• No bar operations indoors, and outdoors only with food service
• No indoor museums, zoos, etc.
• Gyms and fitness centers may only operate outdoors
• Retail allowed indoors with restriction to 25% capacity
• Personal care services allowed indoors, guidance applies 

Specifics on the State-mandated restrictions under the Purple Tier can be found on the State’s Blueprint for a Safer Economy webpage (https://covid19.ca.gov/safer-economy/).