LA Is 'Very Close' To Moving Into Next Reopening Phase, Health Official Says

Just how close is L.A. County to breaking free of the state's most restrictive purple coronavirus reopening tier, and into the less restrictive red tier?

County Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer told LAist/KPCC that we're "very close."

"The number is 7.2 new cases per hundred thousand residents," she told us yesterday. "The number we need to get to is 7."

Then we'd need to hold that 7 number for two weeks.

Here's what would change if L.A. County did move into the red tier:

• Indoor retail would be allowed at 50% capacity (it's now capped at 25% in the purple tier)
• Museums, zoos and aquariums could open indoor spaces at 25% capacity
• Movie theaters would be allowed to open for indoor seating at 25% capacity
• Hotels could open fitness centers (at 10% capacity)
• Gyms, fitness centers and climbing facilties could open for indoor service at 10% capacity
• Restaurants could open indoor dining at 25% capacity

For more info about restrictions in each of the state's reopening tiers, take a scroll through this handy PDF.

For some more context, here's the breakdown of tiers, by color:

Screenshot via California's "Blueprint for a Safer Economy"

Meanwhile, Governor Gavin Newsom said yesterday, he's confident that if COVID-19 metrics continue trending downward, fans could be in outdoor stadiums this upcoming season. What does that mean, exactly? Well, the Dodgers' first home game is April 9...

Ferrer says if we want that to happen, L.A. County will have to do three things: get more shots in arms, continue to encourage mask wearing and make a plan for enforcing physical distancing at the ball park.

She says she can see sports stadiums opening "perhaps as soon as April," but all of this will hinge on what happens in March. If case numbers go back up, a trip to the ball game isn't likely.

READ MORE ABOUT REOPENING TIMELINES:

• Will More LA County Businesses Reopen? Officials To Decide, If Region Moves Out Of Most Restrictive Tier

• What's Open In LA County, And What Are The Rules?

• How To (New) L.A.

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