NEWS RELEASES

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:	Contact: Governor's Press Office
Friday, June 11, 2021

As California Fully Reopens, Governor Newsom Announces Plans to Lift Pandemic Executive Orders

Governor to lift Stay-at-Home Order and retire county tier system on June 15 as the state fully reopens

 

SACRAMENTO – Governor Gavin Newsom today took action to lift pandemic executive orders as the state moves Beyond the Blueprint next week to fully, safely reopen. That includes terminating the Stay-at-Home Order that was implemented early in the pandemic to protect Californians and retiring the Blueprint for a Safer Economy. Effective June 15, restrictions such as physical distancing, capacity limits and the county tier system will end.

 

The Governor is also continuing the wind-down of executive actions put in place since March 2020 to help facilitate a coordinated response to the pandemic and ensure the state could quickly and efficiently respond to the impacts of the pandemic. A subset of provisions that facilitate the ongoing recovery – such as the provision allowing pharmacy technicians to administer vaccinations as the state continues to vaccinate millions of eligible Californians every week – will remain in place. 

 

“California is turning the page on this pandemic, thanks to swift action by the state and the work of Californians who followed public health guidelines and got vaccinated to protect themselves and their communities,” said Governor Newsom. “With nearly 40 million vaccines administered and among the lowest case rates in the nation, we are lifting the orders that impact Californians on a day-to-day basis while remaining vigilant to protect public health and safety as the pandemic persists.”

 

The state’s decisive and early action through the Stay-at-Home Order directing Californians to limit their interactions with people from other households and the Blueprint criteria guiding the tightening and loosening of allowable activities based on the level of community transmission helped slow the spread of the virus, saving lives and protecting the state’s health care delivery system from being overwhelmed. With nearly 40 million vaccines administered and among the lowest case rates in the country, California is entering a new phase, lifting these restrictions to fully reopen on June 15.

 

The Governor’s Office today established a timeline and process to continue winding down the various provisions of the 58 COVID-related executive orders, which suspended statutes and regulations to help the state and businesses continue operations during the pandemic. To ensure that impacted individuals and entities have time to prepare for the changes, the provisions will sunset in phases, beginning later this month, in July and in September. For example, the suspension of certain licensing requirements for manufacturers to produce hand sanitizer will end on June 30, as shortages are no longer a concern. By the end of September, nearly 90 percent of the executive actions taken since March 2020 will have been lifted.

 

Today the California Department of Public Health released a new state public health officer order that goes into effect on June 15. The order replaces the previous pandemic public health orders with limited requirements related to face coverings and mega events, as well as settings with children and youth pending an expected update later this month to the K-12 school guidance issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The action supports the full and safe reopening of the state, while maintaining focused public health requirements that address the risk posed by variants as some regions across the nation and world continue to experience high levels of transmission.

 

A copy of the order terminating the Stay-at-Home Order and the Blueprint for a Safer Economy can be found here. A copy of the order rolling back additional pandemic order provisions can be found here.

 

 

ALL OF CALIFORNIA WILL LEAVE THE TIER SYSTEM (THIS) TUESDAY, JUNE 15, 2021

It will mean a major reopening of the state, including Ventura County, not seen since before the pandemic began.

 

 

 

IMMEDIATE RELEASE

County of Ventura

 

May 25, 2021  

 

County of Ventura likely to reach State’s Yellow least restrictive tier 12:01 am June 2  

 

Ventura, CA – The County of Ventura has reached the threshold for the least restrictive yellow tier in the State’s Blueprint for a Safer Economy for the first week of the required two-week period. If the County continues to meet that threshold for one more week the County will be able to move to the Yellow Tier on June 2 at 12:01 am.  Today, the State has reported that Ventura County’s adjusted case rate has dropped from 2.4 new cases per 100,000 people to 1.5 new cases per 100,000. The overall test positivity rate dropped from 1% to .7% and in health equity areas the test positivity rate dropped from 1.8% to 1.4%.  

 

“This is especially great news for our business community. Expanded capacity will help impacted businesses as we head into the summer months. We appreciate the hard work of our community members in getting us to this point,” said County Executive Officer Mike Powers.  

 

Moving into the yellow tier will allow for increases in capacity in many sectors and will also allow bars to begin providing indoor service at 25% capacity. The sectors with increases in capacity limits include amusement parks and fairs, gyms and fitness centers, yoga studios, private events, bars, hotels and short-term lodging rentals, private gatherings, breweries, indoor playgrounds, restaurants, cardrooms and racetracks, indoor and outdoor live events and performances, wineries and tasting rooms, family entertainment centers, and museums, zoos, and aquariums.  

 

“Reaching this milestone after the intense last surge, is a testament to the resiliency of this county. Everyone, from residents to businesses to city and county leaders have worked hard to bring our numbers down and we should celebrate this accomplishment now and especially next week should we officially make the yellow tier,” said Public Health Director Rigoberto Vargas.  

 

To date, Public Health identified 81,257 positive cases of COVID-19 across all areas of Ventura County and a total of 1,017 deaths. Currently, there are 10 COVID related hospitalizations and 3 community members in the ICU.  

 

“The Yellow Tier means we are continuing to allow more activities to be done safely with more people. To keep this progress up, we encourage all community members over the age of 12 to get the COVID-19 vaccine,” said Public Health Officer Doctor Robert Levin. “The vaccine is the most powerful tool available to reduce transmission of COVID and prevent hospitalizations and deaths from the virus. Increasing the number of people vaccinated will help us continue to move forward.”  

 

 

COVID-19 vaccinations are available for all community members 12 years old and older at County-run sites and many community sites without an appointment. View the full schedule for vaccine sites and mobile clinics at www.venturacountyrecovers.org/vaccine-information/. Appointments can also be made at MyTurn.CA.Gov of by calling 833-422-4255.  

 

As of May 24, 63.1% of Ventura County residents 12 or older have received their 1^st dose of the COVID-19 vaccine and 51.3% 12 years old and older have completed their vaccination.  

 

Additional vaccine information by age breakdown:  

 

• Age 12-17: 27.0% or 18,799 individuals have received at least one vaccination.  
• Age 18-64:: 62.5% or 322,130 individuals have received at least one vaccination.  
• 65 and older: 83.7% or 117,829 individuals have received at least one vaccination  

 

Community members who have not yet been vaccinated are encouraged to access free COVID-19 testing to help prevent further spread of COVID-19. The testing site schedule can be viewed at www.venturacountyrecovers.org/coronavirus-testing/. More than 1,487,522 tests have been performed to date.  

 

Additional information about COVID-19 response and resource information can be found at www.venturacountyrecovers.org.  

 

COVID-19 vaccines are now available by walk-in. No appointment is required. There are locations offered throughout the County. Vaccine eligibility is now open to everyone 12 and older. You can also make an appointment at myturn.ca.gov or 833-422-4255. The full schedule of county clinics and mobile events can be found at: https://www.venturacountyrecovers.org/vaccine-information/

From the State of California on Friday, May 21, 2021

On June 15th, social distancing requirements in California will be a thing of the past. As part of the reopening plans, the state will end both social distancing mandates and reduced capacity limits imposed on businesses. Dr. Mark Ghaly from the California Health and Human Services Agency said the rate of vaccinations in the state is high and hospitalization rates are falling for COVID-19 patients. Dr. Ghaly added the state will follow the CDC recommendations on masks being used in crowded locations. Also, proof of vaccinations will be required to attend large indoor and outdoor sporting and concert events.

 

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

County of Ventura

 

May 13, 2021

 

Pfizer COVID-19 Vaccine Now Available for Youth Aged 12-15

 

Ventura, CA – Young people ages 12 through 15 are now eligible for the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine in the County of Ventura and throughout the state of California. All county run sites that are offering Pfizer are now open to vaccinate children 12-17; minors should be accompanied by a parent, guardian, or responsible adult, and present a photo ID and verification of age.

 

This expanded eligibility comes after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) vaccine safety review panel and the Western States Scientific Safety Review Workgroup recommended on Wednesday that the vaccine is safe and effective in protecting this age group against severe illness, hospitalization, and death. On May 10, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) amended the Pfizer vaccine's Emergency Use Authorization to allow administration for 12- to 15-year-olds, following clinical trials that proved it safe for this age group with only non-serious side effects like fatigue and headache.

 

“I appreciate the scientists, clinicians, and the young people who participated in clinical trials that helped the FDA and the CDC determine that these vaccines are safe and effective for this age group. The COVID-19 vaccine is the most powerful tool available to reduce transmission of COVID-19 and prevent hospitalizations and deaths from the virus. Increasing the number of people vaccinated will help us all move forward,” said Public Health Officer Doctor Robert Levin.

 

More than 63.5% of eligible County residents have received the 1^st dose of the COVID-19 Vaccine and 48.8% have completed their COVID-19 vaccination.

 

The Pfizer vaccine is administered in two doses taken three weeks (21 days) apart. It has already been safely administered to millions of California adults, including more than 30 percent of 16- and 17-year-olds.  Moderna is expected to submit trial data for the same authorization in the coming months. Johnson & Johnson is currently conducting clinical trials for the 12-17 age group.

 

To give consent for vaccination, a parent or legal guardian must accompany minors 15 and younger to a vaccination site, provide verification of identity and relationship, and give verbal consent for the minor to be vaccinated. Minors 16 and older are permitted to have written consent from a parent or legal guardian or they can conduct a video cell phone call with Public Health Staff whereby the parent/legal guardian show proof of identity and guardianship and then give verbal consent. The consent form can be found at: Ventura County Department of Public Health Consent Form.

 

All County of Ventura vaccine sites now offer walk up options without an appointment needed. The current schedule including pop up vaccine events can be found below and at www.venturacountyrecovers.org. Appointments can also be made at MyTurn.CA.Gov or by calling 1-833-422-4255. Community members can also contact local pharmacies and their medical providers for more information. There are many providers offering COVID-19 vaccines.

 

Thousand Oaks (Goebel Adult Center) 1385 E. Janss Rd, Thousand Oaks CA, 91362   Walk-in hours: Monday, Wednesday, Friday 8:30am-4:30pm; Tuesday, Thursday 10:30am-6:30pm; Saturday 9:30am-5:30pm Vaccine: Pfizer	Oxnard Rose Avenue (Babies R Us Building) 2340 N Rose Ave, Oxnard, CA 93030   Walk-in hours: Thursday-Friday 10:30am-4:30pm, Saturday 8:30am-4:30pm Vaccine: Pfizer and Moderna
Ventura County Fairgrounds (Anacapa Hall) 10 W. Harbor Blvd. Ventura, CA 93001   Walk-in hours: Monday-Wednesday 10:30am-4:30pm Vaccine: Pfizer	Camarillo Office of Education 5100 Adolfo, Camarillo, CA 93012   Walk-in hours: Monday-Friday 10:30am-6:30pm, Saturday 9:30am-5:30pm Vaccine: Moderna and Janssen
Santa Paula (K-Mart Building) 895 Faulkner Rd, Santa Paula, CA 93060   Walk-in hours: Monday, Wednesday, Friday 8:30am-4:30pm; Tuesday, Thursday 10:30am-6:30pm; Saturday 9:30am-5:30pm Vaccine: Pfizer	South Oxnard C Street (Tent in the Parking Lot) 2500 S. C Street (tent in the parking lot), Oxnard CA, 93033   Walk-in hours: Monday-Friday 8:30am-4:30pm Vaccine: Moderna
Mobile Clinics – Walk UP May 13: United Farmworkers Foundation, 910 S. A Street, Oxnard, 11 am to 6 pm Vaccine: Moderna   May 13: Downtown Ventura, Main Street/California Street 1 pm to 6 pm Vaccine: J&J	May 14 E.O. Green Junior High School, 3739 S. C. Street Oxnard, 12pm-5pm Vaccine: Pfizer   May 16 & May 18: Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, 427 N. Oak Street, Santa Paula, 11am-6pm Vaccine: Pfizer   May 18: Westminster Clinic, 1800 S. C. Street Oxnard, 3 pm – 6 pm. Vaccine: J&J
May 23: Rio Plaza Elementary School, 600 Simon Way Oxnard, 1 pm – 5pm Vaccine: J&J