Imperial County is moving closer to relaxing some of the current COVID-19 restrictions.

County Health Department officials reported to the Board of Supervisors Tuesday that the county now meets five of the six criteria required by the state to move up to Stage 2 higher risk category of the California Roadmap to Modify the Stay-at-Home order. The move to the higher category would relax retail restrictions , reopen schools and allow for increased availability of things like dine-in restaurant service. According to Dr. Stephen Munday , Imperial County Health Officer , " We are continuing to monitor the situation daily and rely on science and data to make the decisions that safely move us towards recovery." 

Of the six criteria modified by Governor Gavin Newsom Monday , Imperil County has met all of the criteria except  Testing positively over the past 7 days of less than 8%. 

Dr. Munday said that even as the county works toward being able to open additional business sectors the current Stay-at-Home order and face covering requirements remain in effect. The Doctor said , " We are counting on the public's continued compliance with the orders to enable us to relax restrictions. We are committed to making sure that Imperial County is in the best position to continue to protect the health and safety of our community as we progressively get back to normal.