–On Saturday, March 13, California updated its guidance for wineries, breweries, and distilleries that don’t serve food. In San Luis Obispo County, which is currently in the Red Tier of the State’s Blueprint for a Safer Economy, that means breweries and distilleries can operate outdoors with modifications.

These businesses must require reservations, limit visits to no more than 90 minutes, regularly sanitize tables and surfaces, space tables at least six feet apart, and require the use of face coverings by employees and guests (when not seated at their table).

“We’re excited to see this updated guidance that protects the public’s health while also allowing these businesses to operate more normally,” said County Health Officer Dr. Penny Borenstein. “This gives our community a chance to safely support these businesses that have struggled over the past year. Cheers to this step in SLO County’s safe reopening.”

California’s blueprint for reopening has criteria for loosening and tightening restrictions on activities based on the level of spread of COVID-19. Every county in California is assigned to a tier based on its positivity rate, adjusted case rate, and health equity metric. Activities and businesses that have a lower risk of spreading COVID-19 can open sooner, while higher-risk activities or businesses are not allowed until later tiers.

Ways to help SLO County reach a lower, less-restrictive tier:

• Wear a face-covering in public.
• Stay at least six feet away from people outside of your household.
• Wash your hands regularly.
• Limit mixing with people you don’t live with.
• Stay home if you are sick.
• Avoid crowds and large gatherings.
• Get tested for COVID-19 if you have symptoms or think you may have been exposed.
• Get vaccinated against COVID-19 when it’s your turn.

For updates on COVID-19 in SLO County, visit ReadySLO.org or call the recorded Public Health Information Line at (805) 788-2903. A staffed phone assistance center at (805) 543-2444 is available Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. to assist with questions related to COVID-19.

• San Luis Obispo County COVID-19 website – readyslo.org