State announces fewer COVID-19 restrictions starting June 15

Registered Nurse Maggie Wiercioch administers a dose of Covid-19 vaccine at Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital Vaccination center on Friday, 011520, 011520. Dan Watson/The Signal
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Most businesses and activities will return to “usual operations” starting June 15 under new state public health guidelines released Friday morning. 

Capacity limitations and physical distancing will not be required for most business, including sectors outlined in the California Blueprint for a Safer Economy like social gatherings, private events, retail, gyms and restaurants. 

The new state guidelines also advised that Californians continue to follow current state public health department guidance for face coverings during this next phase.  

Vaccine verification and negative testing will be required for “indoor mega events” and recommended for “outdoor mega events,” which the state said pose a higher risk for COVID-19 transmission. 

To verify full COVID-19 vaccination, people can either show their COVID-19 vaccination card, a photo of their card as a separate document in print or electronically on a phone, or documentation of vaccination from a health care provider. 

Businesses are also permitted to have their patrons attest to being vaccinated to gain entry to mega events. The state will assess mega event restrictions, which are effective through Oct. 1, by Sept. 1. 

Under the new guidelines, the state announced that travelers follow travel recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and the California Department of Public Health’s travel advisory. 

Los Angeles County Department of Public Health announced Friday that it will align with the state’s plan to reopen on June 15.  

The county will adopt the CDC’s masking guidelines for vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals, meaning “people who are fully vaccinated will no longer need to wear masks in most situations,” according to the county’s Public Health Department. 

“I support full alignment with the state on this guidance and appreciate that today’s announcement will provide ample time for our businesses, organizations and residents to prepare for these changes,” said Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger, whose 5th District includes the Santa Clarita Valley, in a prepared statement, which notes that approximately 47% of the county’s populations is fully vaccinated. “We have weathered the storm, and I am hopeful that this finally signals our return to normalcy.”  

Public Health also released the following updated COVID-19 statistics Friday:  

  • New COVID-19 cases reported in L.A. County in the past 24 hours: 264 
  • Total COVID-19 cases in L.A. County: 1,238,367  
  • New deaths related to COVID-19 reported: 15 
  • Total COVID-19 deaths in L.A. County: 24,154 
  • Hospitalizations countywide: 355 
  • Hospitalizations at Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital as of May 21: 4, with 1,232 discharged since the onset of the pandemic.  
  • COVID-19 cases reported in the Santa Clarita Valley in the past 24 hours: 9, 2 of which came from the city of Santa Clarita.  
  • Total COVID-19 cases in the SCV: 27,797  
  • Total COVID-19 deaths in the SCV as of May 20: 302 
  • Percentage of vaccinated people (at least one dose) in the city of Santa Clarita as of May 9: 61%  
  • Percentage of vaccinated people (at least one dose) in the SCV as of May 9: 56% 

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This story was updated May 21 at 7:19 p.m.

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