PASADENA, Calif.—The state has announced that California has met the vaccine equity goal that allows public health jurisdictions in Los Angeles County, including Pasadena, to move into the red tier of the Blueprint for a Safer Economy effective Sunday, March 14.
As of Monday, March 15, 12:01 a.m., the following activities will be permitted to occur in strict adherence with the updated Pasadena Public Health Department (PPHD) protocols:
Gyms, Fitness Facilities, Yoga and Dance Studios
- Gyms, fitness facilities, yoga and dance studios should operate outdoors as much as possible, and may open indoors at 10% capacity.
- Masks must be worn by everyone at all times. If wearing a mask is unsafe for an individual while exercising, that person should refrain from exercising indoors at a gym at this time.
- Indoor locker rooms and showers must remain closed, unless partitions are in place to ensure physical distancing, and signs have been posted to specify physical distancing requirements.
- Indoor saunas, steam rooms and hot tubs must remain closed. Indoor pools may only open for one-on-one drowning prevention instruction in accordance with PPHD protocols.
Hair Salons and Barbershops
- Hair salons and barbershops should operate outdoors as much as possible, and may operate indoors with physical distancing and in accordance with PPHD protocols.
Hotels and Other Lodging Facilities
- Hotels and lodging facilities must operate in accordance with PPHD protocols, including the new orders and updated protocols for restaurants, pools, and fitness facilities where applicable.
- The state’s travel advisory is still in place, such that travelers from out of state should quarantine for 10 days.
Institutes of Higher Education
- In-person classes should be conducted outdoors as much as possible, and indoor instruction may occur at 25% capacity or 100 people, whichever is fewer.
- Onsite dining should be conducted outdoors as much as possible, and may operate indoors in accordance with restaurant protocols.
- Residential housing is still not permitted, except as specified in the PPHD protocol.
Movie Theaters
- Movie theaters may operate indoors at 25% capacity, or up to 100 people, per auditorium, whichever is fewer, in accordance with PPHD protocols.
- Reserved seating is required and each group must be seated at least 6 feet of distance in all directions from other groups.
Museums and Galleries
- Museums and galleries can open indoors at 25% capacity in accordance with PPHD protocols.
Personal Care Services
- Personal care services should be provided outdoors as much as possible, and may be provided indoors with physical distancing and in accordance with PPHD protocols.
- Masks should be worn by all parties at all times to the greatest extent possible.
Pools
- Outdoor pools should continue to operate in accordance with PPHD protocols.
- Indoor pools must remain closed except for one-on-one drowning prevention instruction, in accordance with PPHD protocols.
Restaurants, Breweries, and Bars that Serve a Bona-Fide Meal
- Onsite dining at restaurants and bars should remain outdoors as much as possible, and may operate indoors at a maximum of 25% capacity or up to 100 people, whichever is fewer, and in accordance with PPHD protocols.
- Parties are limited to 6 people or fewer, with the strong recommendation of a single household per party/table if dining indoors.
- Prior to reopening for indoor dining, the HVAC system must be in good working order and evaluated to ensure ventilation has been increased to the maximum extent possible.
- PPHD strongly recommends restaurant employees interacting with customers indoors are provided with additional masking protection above the currently required face shield over face mask, such as a fit-tested N95, a KN95, our double masks.
- All employees must be informed by the restaurant operator about and offered opportunities to be vaccinated.
Retail
- Retail establishments (except stand-alone grocery stores) can operate indoors at 50% capacity.
- Stand-alone grocery stores should operate at a reduced capacity if necessary to allow physical distancing.
- Swap meets, as defined can operate outdoors at 50% capacity.
Schools
- Schools may apply to the CA Department of Public Health and PPHD simultaneously to open grades 7-12.
- Schools must complete the form at the schools web portal and all requirements fulfilled prior to opening.
Private Gatherings
- Private gatherings can occur indoors with up to 3 households (15 people maximum) with face masks and physical distancing of 6 feet or more required at all times.
- People who are fully vaccinated can gather in small numbers indoors with other people who are fully vaccinated without required masking and distancing, in accordance with CDC guidance.
Although Pasadena’s rate of new COVID-19 cases and the number of local COVID-19 hospitalizations have been decreasing, the presence of more infectious variants in California and Los Angeles County could lead to greater community spread. Continued adherence to public health prevention measures such as wearing masks, washing hands and physical distancing can limit the impact of variants, particularly as more indoor activities are permitted.
The City’s ongoing vaccination efforts are crucial to the successful opening of additional business and sectors. At this time, over 33% of Pasadena residents have received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine, as have over 85% of the City’s residents over 65. Earlier in the month, the City moved to Phase 1B of the state’s vaccine eligibility prioritization, allowing emergency services, education and childcare, and food and agriculture workers to receive vaccinations. On March 15, Pasadena residents with specific severe, chronic health conditions (listed in the state prioritization) that put them at higher risk for worse outcomes from COVID-19 infection will become eligible for COVID-19 vaccination. These residents should submit their contact information on the City website to be added to the interest list.
COVID-19 vaccine supply remains limited, but we continue to make progress toward a higher percentage of our community vaccinated, especially among those neighborhoods and families hardest hit by the pandemic.