Kern County Moves to Red Tier (Tier 2) on State’s COVID-19 Framework

Additional Businesses and Activities Allowed to Resume with Modifications Under State Regulations

(Kern County, CA) – Today the State announced that Kern County has moved from the Purple Tier (Tier 1) to the less restrictive Red Tier (Tier 2) on the State’s COVID-19 blueprint, effective immediately. The State’s framework allows counties moving from the Purple to Red Tier to reopen indoor operations at additional businesses and allows certain activities to resume, as long as appropriate protocols and protective measures are followed.

The following businesses and activities are now allowed to resume with modifications:

 Personal care services are allowed to open indoors.

 Museums, zoos and aquariums are allowed to open indoors with 25% capacity.

 Places of worship are allowed to open indoors with 25% capacity or 100 people, whichever is fewer.

 Gyms and fitness centers are allowed to open indoors at 10% capacity.

 Restaurants are allowed to open indoors with 25% capacity or 100 people, whichever is fewer.

 Movie theaters are allowed to open indoors with 25% capacity or 100 people, whichever is fewer.

On October 28th, two weeks following the County officially entering Tier 2, schools (including higher education) can open for in-person instruction, with modifications.

As a community we have made tremendous progress in reducing the transmission of COVID-19 in Kern County. While moving into the Red Tier is exciting news for our local businesses and residents, we encourage everyone to remain vigilant and continue practicing healthy habits including social distancing, wearing face coverings and washing hands frequently.

If these metrics continue to improve, the County would be eligible to move forward in the framework to a less restrictive tier after three weeks. If these metrics worsen, the County would revert into a more restrictive tier as soon as two weeks from now. To learn more about the State framework, visit www.covid19.ca.gov or www.kernpublichealth.com/2019-novel-coronavirus/.

This week’s testing sites are as follows:  

WHEN: Monday, November 16th (Starting at 9.A.M.)
WHERE: LaMina Cantina, 8020 District Blvd., Bakersfield, CA 93313
*Free face masks will be given to individuals, courtesy of Adventist Health Bakersfield.

WHEN: Thursday, November 19th (2:30 P.M. – 5:30 P.M.)
WHERE: Robert F. Kennedy High School, 1401 Hiett Ave., Delano 93215
*Free face masks will be given to individuals, courtesy of Adventist Health Bakersfield.

WHEN: Friday, November 20th (12 P.M. to 3 P.M.)
WHERE: Taft Union High School, Softball/Track Field Parking Lot
(Corner of 10th and San Emidio)
*Dignity Health will provide a limited number of Flu Shots.

WHEN: Saturday, November 21st (Starting at 11.A.M.)
WHERE: McFarland Community Center, 103 W. Sherwood Avenue, McFarland, Ca 93250
*Free face masks will be given to individuals, courtesy of Adventist Health Bakersfield.

Walk-ins are welcomed and encouraged as there is no pre-registration requirements. The collaboration asks people to please wear a mask and social distance while on site.