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Dear Friends,
This week comes with wonderful news in our battle against COVID-19!
First, the State has officially confirmed that California has administered 2 million doses of hope to our most vulnerable communities and with our combined efforts to bring down case rates and community transmission, we are now eligible to enter the red tier! You can learn more about what sectors will re-open below.
Additionally, on Monday, March 15th, vaccine eligibility will expand to include individuals with disabilities or underlying health conditions. This is the next phase in our vaccination efforts, again aimed at reaching those who are more susceptible to severe symptoms or death if they become infected with COVID-19. You can learn more about expanded eligibility below.
And lastly, The American Rescue Plan was passed in the House and formally signed into law by President Biden, bringing forth a $1.9 trillion dollar relief bill that will help us recover and rebuild from this devastating pandemic.
This news could not come at a better time and leaves me feeling incredibly hopeful for what lies ahead - a future in which we can visit family, celebrate birthdays and holidays, and enjoy a new normal.
As always, you can reach my office with any questions, comments or concerns.
Sincerely,
Chair Hilda L. Solis
Supervisor, First District
 I am thrilled to share that Los Angeles County will be entering the red tier of the State’s Blueprint for a Safer Economy effective this Monday, March 15th. The following sectors will re-open with continued modifications to ensure public safety:
- Restaurants can open indoors at 25% max capacity under the following conditions: 8 feet distancing between tables; one household per table with a limit of 6 people; the HVAC system is in good working order and has been evaluated, and to the maximum extent possible ventilation has been increased. Public Health strongly recommends that all restaurant employees interacting with customers indoors are provided with additional masking protection (above the currently required face shield over face masks); this can be fit tested N95 masks, KN95 masks, or double masks and a face shield. In addition, Public Health strongly recommends that all employees working indoors are informed about and offered opportunities to be vaccinated. Outdoor dining can accommodate up to six people per table from 3 different households.
- Museum, zoos and aquariums can open indoors at 25% capacity.
- Gyms, fitness centers, yoga and dance studios can open indoors at 10% capacity with masking requirement for all indoor activities.
- Movie theatres can open indoors at 25% capacity with reserved seating only where each group is seated with at least 6 feet of distance in all directions between any other groups.
- Retail and personal care services can increase capacity to 50% with masking required at all times and for all services.
- Indoor shopping malls can increase capacity to 50% with common areas remaining closed; food courts can open at 25% capacity adhering to the restaurant guidance for indoor dining.
- Institutes of Higher Education can re-open all permitted activities with required safety modifications except for residential housing which remains under current restrictions for the Spring semester.
- Schools are permitted to re-open for in-person instruction for students in grades 7-12 adhering to all state and county directives.
- Private gatherings can occur indoors with up to 3 separate households, with masking and distancing 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.
To learn more about the red tier re-opening, visit: PublicHealth.lacounty.gov
 As I noted earlier, beginning Monday, March 15th vaccine eligibility will expand to individuals ages 16-64 with disabilities or underlying health conditions. Underlying health conditions that will next be prioritized include:
- Cancer, current with debilitated or immunocompromised state
- Chronic kidney disease, stage 4 or above
- Chronic pulmonary disease, oxygen dependent
- Down syndrome
- Solid organ transplant recipients with an immunocompromised state (weakened immune system)
- Pregnancy
- Sickle cell disease
- Heart conditions, such as heart failure, coronary artery disease, or cardiomyopathies (excludes hypertension)
- Severe obesity (Body Mass Index ≥ 40 kg/m2)
- Type 2 diabetes mellitus with hemoglobin A1c level greater than 7.5%
OR
- People with developmental or other severe high-risk disabilities if they are more likely to develop severe, life threatening illness or death from COVID-19; if they acquire COVID they won’t be able to receive care; or if they cannot receive adequate and timely COVID care because of their disability.
Additionally, other high-risk groups will also be eligible starting Monday, including: individuals who reside or work in a high risk congregate residential setting (such as an incarceration/detention facility, homeless shelter, behavioral health facility), people experiencing homelessness, public transit workers, and airport and commercial airline workers.
To find out if you are eligible or to make an appointment for a vaccine, visit: MyTurn.ca.gov or VaccinateLACounty.com
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