reopen

Gov. Gavin Newsom announced on Tuesday that the entire state would be able to re-open without many of the COVID-19 restrictions by mid-June, as long as the vaccine supply is sufficient and the hospital rate remains low.

A statewide mask mandate would likely remain, but other restrictions detailed in the Blueprint for a Safer Economy would likely come to an end by June 15.

“We can confidently say by June 15 that we can start to open up as business as usual, subject to ongoing mask-wearing and ongoing vigilance,” Newsom said. “So, this is a big day."

The announcement came as the California Department of Public Health announced that a total of 4 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been administered to Californians in some of the state's hardest-hit communities, increasing immunity where the state's transmission rates and disease burden have been the highest during the pandemic.

"California is making great progress in administering COVID-19 vaccine doses," said Dr. Mark Ghaly, Secretary of California's Health and Human Services Agency. "We must continue to do our best to vaccinate Californians as safely and quickly as possible. Our vaccine equity focus remains the right thing to do and ensures we are having the greatest impact in reducing transmission, protecting our health care delivery system and saving lives."

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STANISLAUS COUNTY, Calif. (KTXL) — Business owners were disheartened Thursday to hear that Stanislaus County would remain in the purple tier, the most restrictive tier in the state’s reopening plan.

Rich Lowdermilk is the owner of Buckhorn Grill in Modesto, which opened just two years ago.

“When the food comes out right, people are usually, ‘Wow, this is, you know, some of the best tri-tip I’ve ever had,’” Lowdermilk told FOX40.

He’s just one of many restaurant owners in Stanislaus County who have been struggling to survive during the pandemic.

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This weekend you’ll be able to raise a glass or a barbell officially again as bars, gyms and close to a dozen other industries reopen across Stanislaus County from their nearly three-month coronavirus shutdowns.

While some drinking and fitness establishments in the region have already opened, thanks largely to local officials announcing they would look the other way instead of enforcing business closures, the county has now given all the green-light to welcome back patrons this Friday, June 12.

Other industries the county has also OKed include wineries, hotels for tourism, family entertainment centers, museums, card rooms, campgrounds and outdoor recreation. The state also said movie theaters may begin reopening Friday with local approval as well.

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MODESTO, Calif. (KTXL) — When it comes to tacos, burritos and nachos, the chefs at Taqueria Mis Compadres on Sylvan Avenue in Modesto know how to cook it up.

But when it comes to state and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines on reopening amid the COVID-19 crisis, manager Nayeli Vazquez told FOX40 she and her staff got a little help.

“It’s not only basic training but it reinforces everything that you should be doing in a restaurant already,” said Vazquez.

Dave White is the CEO of Opportunity Stanislaus and he told FOX40 that county leaders worked to ensure mom-and-pop shops had access to CDC and state guidelines on how to safely reopen.

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