What stage are we in? As California reopens, it might not be what you think

With all the businesses that are opening back up in some California counties — bars, gyms and movie theaters, to name a few — it can be easy to lose track of just what stage of reopening California as a whole is in.

Officially, California is still in Stage 2 of reopening from the shutdown prompted by the coronavirus pandemic. Some counties have permission to move ahead quickly through Stage 2.

“There is not yet a timeline for moving to Stage 3 statewide. California is currently in Stage 2, and counties with attestations are able to open some activities and businesses under Stage 3 by following the guidance issued by the state,” according to a statement from the California Department of Public Health.

On March 19, California Gov. Gavin Newsom issued an executive order that state residents should stay at home unless absolutely necessary. The order also limited what businesses were allowed to continue operating. In April, Newsom unveiled his plan for reopening, that consisted of four stages.

Stage 2, which California is still in, governs the reopening “lower risk” businesses, such as offices, outdoor museums and retail outlets.

California has had 139,281 cases of COVID-19 since the pandemic began, according to the state. That includes 3,177 hospitalizations of confirmed cases, 1,357 hospitalizations of suspected cases and 4,881 deaths.

Despite that, and despite a concerning number of new cases in some counties, including Sacramento, several counties have received a variance from the state allowing them to advance into Stage 3 of the reopening.

So what is Stage 3?

Stage 3 is when “higher risk” businesses such as gyms, nail salons, movie theaters and bars are allowed to reopen, with modifications. It’s also the stage when churches are allowed to resume limited in-person services, and when live sporting events are allowed to happen, albeit without an audience.

Stage 3 is the penultimate stage of California’s reopening, and Newsom has said in press remarks that it will be many months before California reaches Stage 4, which is when all restrictions are lifted.

This story was originally published June 12, 2020 at 12:35 PM with the headline "What stage are we in? As California reopens, it might not be what you think."