Two Bay Area counties move into less restrictive red tier

DALY CITY, Calif. - Five counties were allowed to move into the less restrictive red tier on Tuesday, including two in the Bay Area, according to the California Department of Public Health. 

Humboldt, Marin, San Mateo, Shasta, and Yolo counties moved from the purple tier to red; Marin and San Mateo counties are in the Bay Area.

The move allows changes for numerous types of businesses and services. Restaurants can resume indoor dining with modifications; gyms can open indoors with modifications; and retail and shopping centers can increase capacity.

The news was welcome to many business owners, including at the Chick N Coop restaurant in Daly City.

"It'd be better if we open at least 25%. That'd be much better," owner Angelo Koutoulas said on Monday.

According to the state's red tier guidelines, restaurants would be allowed to open to 25% capacity or 100 people.

Retail and shopping centers could open at 50% capacity with restrictions.

Museums and aquariums could open to 25% capacity, as well as movie theaters.

Gyms and fitness centers would be allowed to reach 10% capacity.

"It may not have a huge impact on our bottom line, but it’s nice just to get back to work and be able to open up to services where there is a demand for it," said Tim Fleming, co-owner of Endurance Performance Training Center in Mill Valley. "

Fleming told KTVU that 10% indoor capacity is negligible, but the move to red shows promise.

"I think any time the statistics are favorable that’s good for us. I think it’s good just for the phycology of people who want to come back," he said.

In addition, Marin and Shasta counties were moved due to the blueprint’s Health Equity Metric.

One county, Trinity, moved to a more restrictive tier, from orange to red. 

San Francisco also has seen a decrease in case numbers but it could take longer to move to the red tier.

As of Tuesday, 47 counties still remain in the purple tier, nine in the red and two in orange.