What's Actually Changed in California Now That the State Has Reopened?
Leer en espaol  Californias grand reopening day is finally here, but it comes with a few asterisks. This Tuesday, our 15-month-long ordeal of public health restrictions, mandates, bans and color-coded tiers to stem the COVID-19 pandemic will finally come to an end. As Gov. Gavin Newsom said in April and reaffirmed in May, June 15 is when we can start to open upbusiness as usual.  But as that much-touted date approaches, the governors promise of a sudden milestone is colliding with the loophole-ridden gradualism of California labor law, local control and the imperatives of fighting a diminishing  but not defeated  virus that has killed 62,500 Californians and counting. Some mixed messages along the way have added to the confusion. Many of your questions, answered. Probably. The average Californian can expect things to look fairly back-to-normal in most of the ways that matter. Moving beyond the blueprint, to use the states branding, and instead using federal health guidance for public places means that most businesses can dispense with social distancing requirements, capacity limits and forced closures. But theres a difference between can and must.  Counties will still be free to impose their own public health restrictions if they choose to  but only if theyre stricter than what the state is requiring. So far, no counties have said that theyll part ways with the states rules, though a few, like San Francisco, say theyre still mulling over their options. Even so, businesses arent taking any chances. On Tuesday, more than 35 business groups sent a letter to county governments across the state begging them to stick to the statewide rules. Though business groups, who dont relish the idea of getting sued, are hoping for consistent, cheap and easy-to-follow standards, your favorite restaurant, movie theater or hair salon is also free to impose its own public health restrictions. That means you shouldnt be surprised if you still spot a few No Mask, No Service signs after June 15. Depends. The state has said it will impose additional restrictions on mega events. Thats defined as anything that draws more than 5,000 people indoors or 10,000 outside. (Sorry, nameless dude playing a melodica into a loop pedal, you are not a mega event). According to the most recent state guidance, concerts, conventions and other indoor mega events will only be open to people who can prove that theyve either been vaccinated (by showing a vaccination card, a photo of the card, or documentation from a doctor) or that they tested negative for the coronavirus in the last 72 hours. That kind of proof wont necessarily be required at outdoor events such as baseball games, but the state is recommending that stadiums either impose such a rule or require masking. Yes, if youre vaccinated. Californias public health officials confirmed Wednesday that along with relaxed social distancing, the state will also drop its mask mandate on June 15 and instead adopt the recommendations of the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.