San Benito County moves to red tier

HOLLISTER, Calif. (KION) Several businesses are able to reopen with modifications after San Benito County moved into the less-restrictive red tier Sunday.

Under state's Blueprint for a Safer Economy, restaurants, movie theaters, gyms, museums, aquariums and zoos can resume indoor operations at a limited capacity if their county is in the red tier.

Here's a closer look:

• Restaurants indoors at max 25% capacity or 100 people (whichever is fewer)
• Movie theaters indoors at max 25% capacity or 100 people (whichever is fewer)
• Gyms and fitness center indoors at 10% capacity +climbing walls
• Museums, aquariums and zoos indoors at 25% capacity

“We’ve been isolated for a long time and I think this is a step forward for all the community,” Hollister resident Redy Castillo said.

Sunday afternoon people came out to enjoy a beer at Pour Decisions after restaurants and breweries faced shutdowns and restrictions during the pandemic.

Before this, restaurants were limited to outdoor dining, takeout and delivery.

Castillo is most excited for the reopening of gyms.

“I like to workout everyday. I like to go to the gym everyday and it's been closed,” Castillo said.

Hollister Mayor Ignacio Velazquez feels this transition to the red tier shows that the area is moving in the right direction.

“We’re hoping we never go back and I think as we see more vaccines being distributed, we don’t have to worry about going back. We need to worry about going forward. That’s our focus,” Velazquez said.

But he warns, we’re not out of the woods just yet.

“I would always warn, look, we are moving to the next tier but remember you need to wear your face covers and do the things you need to do to keep the numbers down,” Velazquez said.

With the vaccine rollout ramping up, Velasquez is hopeful this is a sign we’re turning the corner.

To find what may be open near you and view a full list of the state restrictions for your county, click the following link and type in your county: Blueprint for a Safer Economy - Coronavirus COVID-19 Response (ca.gov)