Imperial County has successfully met the State's metrics to move to the Red Tier of the California Blueprint for a Safer Economy.

The move shows the risk of COVID-19 transmission in Imperial County has gone from widespread to substantial. The move is based on local case and testing positivity rates. An updated Imperial County Health Officer Order has been issued that will expand activities and services permitted under the Read Tier. The change will go into effect Wednesday , March 10, 2021. 

Among the expanded activities and services that are permitted under the Red Tier are restaurants able to serve indoors with 25 percent maximum capacity or 100 people , whichever is less. Shopping Centers , swap meets may operate at 50 percent of capacity. All retail stores at 50 per cent of capacity maximum. Gyms and fitness centers at 10 percent of capacity. Youth and adult low- and moderate-contact sports such as baseball , softball and volleyball. The order will  also permit small private gatherings outdoors and indoors with modifications. Masks and social distancing are still required. No more than three separate households  , gatherings should be 2 hours or less. Singing , shouting , chanting and / or playing wind instruments are allowed outdoors but not indoors. 

A complete set of guidelines is available on the Imperial County Public Health Department website.