Newsom says state is on the verge of meeting vaccination target, allowing most SoCal counties to switch to red levels

LOS ANGELES (KABC) – Los Angeles and other Southern California counties could move to the state’s less restrictive red tier this weekend, allowing more businesses to reopen.

Gavin Newsom, Gavin Newsom, at an event in South Gate, said the state is on the verge of achieving a major goal that will allow counties to accelerate their shifts to less restrictive levels.

The state has been working to improve the distribution of vaccines to the hardest-hit communities and has set a target of distributing 2 million doses to those communities as a benchmark to enable more tier shifts. The state is expected to hit that 2 million mark by Friday.

Southern California counties remain below the purple level, but four counties may be ready to shift to the red level after the state hits that mark.

“We are at 1.9 million today,” Newsom said Wednesday. “On Friday, we will pass that target. Once we hit that threshold, we will be able to move through these levels faster. It will allow us to update our strategy and allow us to reopen more strategically and securely.”

Exactly when that could happen is still unclear, especially in Los Angeles County, where officials say it could take 48 hours to make that move.

Other counties may be able to reduce the restrictions for Saturday.

Dr. Barbara Ferrer, Los Angeles County Director of Health, said her department is already working on guidelines for the shift to the red layer. She expects to release those guidelines on Thursday. She said it is still uncertain whether the county would allow indoor dining below the new tier.

Ferrer added that if companies and the public follow guidelines and safety protocols, it could generate enough progress for a shift to the even less restrictive orange level within a few weeks.

Because LA County is just days away from admission to the red coat, indoor fitness centers can be opened. Sandy Duvall, the owner of Sierra Health and Fitness, has heard that gyms will open at 10% capacity. Her gym survived thanks to a 2,000-square-foot outdoor gym built in their parking lot.

The red layer also allows provinces to reopen cinemas and expand capacity for stores and shopping centers.

LA County also announced that custodians, janitors, public transportation employees, airport ground crew, foster parents, and some social workers are now eligible for the vaccine.