On August 28, 2020, Governor Gavin Newsom introduced the Blueprint for a Safer Economy to become effective at 12:01 AM on Monday, August 31, 2020. Every county in California has been assigned to a tier based on two metrics: the number of new cases per 100,000 residents and the testing positivity rate, or percentage of tests that come back positive. Counties must also meet an equity metric and/or demonstrate targeted investments to eliminate disparities in levels of transmission. At a minimum, counties must remain in their current tier for at least three weeks before moving forward. Data is reviewed weekly and tiers are generally updated every Tuesday. To move forward, a county must meet the next tier’s criteria for two consecutive weeks. If a county’s metrics worsen for two consecutive weeks, it may be considered for a more restrictive tier.

The four tiers in order of most restrictive to least restrictive are:
Tier 1: Widespread (Purple)
Tier 2: Substantial (Red)
Tier 3: Moderate (Orange)
Tier 4: Minimal (Yellow)

For more information on tier and sector guidelines, Click here:

For more information on the Blueprint for a Safer Economy, including State Frequently Asked Questions, Click Here

Effective November 16, 2020, Napa County is in Tier 1: Widespread (Purple). This means that certain business will need to close or scale back to outdoor only operations by the start of business on Wednesday, November 18, 2020. While this document will address some specific business sectors, to see the status of additional business sectors or activity in Napa County, Click Here

Every county in California has been assigned to a tier based on two metrics: the number of new cases per 100,000 residents and the testing positivity rate, or percentage of tests that come back positive. Counties must also meet an equity metric and/or demonstrate targeted investments to eliminate disparities in levels of transmission. Data is normally reviewed weekly and tiers are updated every
Tuesday, although as of November 16, 2020, assignments may occur any day of the week and may occur more than once a week when CDPH determines that the most recent reliable data indicate that immediate action is needed. There is a lag in data from the County to the State and the data posted each week by the State is often 7-10 days in arrears.

During the weekly assessment, if a county’s adjusted case rate and/or test positivity has fallen within a less restrictive tier for three or more consecutive weekly periods, the State will consider moving a county to a less restrictive tier.

However, as explained further below, Napa County cannot move to a less restrictive tier while a Regional Stay Home Order is in effect. When that Regional Stay Home Order is lifted, then the State will separately evaluate the metrics for all Bay Area counties subject to the Regional Stay Home Order, and Napa County’s metrics will determine the tier to which we are assigned

On December 3, 2020, Governor Newsom announced a Regional Stay Home Order for those regions with less than 15% of ICU adult bed capacity. The State evaluates the regional ICU adult bed capacity on a daily basis.

On December 16, 2020, the State reported that the Bay Area Region’s ICU adult bed capacity is below 15%, and therefore Napa County is subject to the State’s Regional Stay Home Order effective Thursday, December 17, 2020 at 11:59 PM. This order will be in effect for at least three weeks from the date the order takes effect in a Region and shall continue until CDPH’s four-week projections of the Region’s total available adult ICU bed capacity is greater than or equal to 15%.

No. Napa County is subject to the State’s Regional Stay Home Order, and under this new order different households are prohibited from gathering, either indoor or outdoor. Residents must stay within their own household.

Because Napa County is subject to a Regional Stay Home Order, different households should not mix or have gatherings, either indoor or outdoor. Please keep in mind that private gatherings are a significant cause of COVID-19 spread, and with the highest rates of community transmission we have seen during this pandemic, activities we engaged in even a few weeks ago are now far too risky. Please adhere to the Regional Stay Home Order and celebrate with your own household.

Restaurants may only offer take-out and delivery service. No indoor or outdoor dining is allowed.

No, wineries and tasting rooms must close with the exception for production, manufacturing, distribution and retail sale for off-site consumption. Retail spaces must comply with the retail guidance and operate at 20% capacity.

No, bars, breweries and distilleries must close with the exception for production, manufacturing, distribution and retail sale for off-site consumption. Retail spaces must comply with the retail guidance and operate at 20% capacity.

Outdoor gyms meet the essential workforce definition of an outdoor recreational facility for the purpose of facilitating personal health. All activities must be physically distanced and outdoors only.

All movie theaters and family entertainment centers must close with the exception of drive-in movie theaters.

No, cardrooms must close.

Personal services including but not limited to hair salons, barber shops, massage therapy, tattoo parlors and nail salons must close.

Yes, retail operations may continue with strict adherence to state guidance and with appropriate modifications. Capacity is limited to 20% under the Regional Stay Home Order and standalone grocery stores may operate at 35% capacity with entrance metering and no eating or drinking in the stores. Additionally, special hours should be instituted for seniors and others with chronic conditions or compromised immune systems. Curbside or delivery services are encouraged.

Non-essential offices should close indoor operations. Employees should work remotely.

Hotels, inns and other lodging accommodations may only operate for essential travel. Non-essential reservations cannot be honored while under the Regional Stay Home Order, unless the reservation is for at least the minimum time period required for quarantine and the persons identified in the reservation will quarantine in the hotel or lodging entity until after that time period has expired. Amenities should be closed and offer in-room dining only.

Overnight stays at campgrounds are not allowed.

Residential viewings are limited to scheduled property viewings to a potential buying party, as set forth by the State. Virtual showings should be utilized whenever possible.

Businesses that are allowed to open are required to, at a minimum, meet the posted State of California standards, and may follow best management practices that exceed State standards.
In the event that the State of California expressly permits a business sector to reopen but does not provide guidance, Napa County will develop and post guidance to allow the sector to reopen safely. When guidance is released from the State of California, it will be posted on the County’s website and will be the controlling guidance that should be followed.

The standards and guidance can be found at the County’s website at https://www.countyofnapa.org/2840/Industry-Guidance. If guidance is not available for a specific industry, these businesses should not reopen. Best management practices prepared by local Chambers of Commerce can also be found at the County’s website. https://www.countyofnapa.org/2840/Industry-Guidance

Yes. Businesses that allowed to operate are required to: 1) prepare and post the Checklist for your business type (if applicable); and 2) prepare and post your Social Distancing Protocol as required by the County’s Shelter-at-Home order.
The Social Distancing Protocol can be found in Appendix A of the County’s current Shelter-at-Home Order at: https://www.countyofnapa.org/2813/Shelter-at-Home-Order

On November 16, 2020, the State of California issued new face covering requirements. The updated guidance mandates that a face covering is required at all times when outside the home, with some limited exceptions. For more specific information on the most recent face covering requirements, visit: https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/Pages/COVID-19/guidance-for-face-coverings.aspx.

In addition, the State has revised its guidance for open business sectors to include the face-covering requirement. Please check for updated guidance in your sector to see what is required.

No, places of worship and faith based services may occur outdoors only with proper physical distancing protocols and in compliance with State guidance.

Yes, residential cleaning, repair and maintenance may continue as long as physical distancing and face covering protocols are followed.

This Order is mandatory. All persons and other entities are required to comply if they do not fall within the exemptions that are specified in the Order.

State and local health orders are issued under the authority of law. Failure to comply with the health orders is both a misdemeanor and a public health nuisance. The County tries to secure cooperation with education about the requirements and may help you figure out ways your business can come into compliance. Repeat violators, however, may be subject to one or more administrative citations, fines and penalties, a civil action, a restraining order, and may even be required to pay the County’s enforcement costs and attorneys’ fees. A misdemeanor is a criminal offense that is punishable by fine, imprisonment, or both. The County does not want any business to face penalties, but it is critical for everyone to follow the health orders to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and protect themselves, their loved ones, friends, neighbors, and the whole community.

Yes, provided the accommodation does not require knowingly jeopardizing the health or safety or others. In addition, a business cannot deny services to a customer who falls within an exception to the mask requirement, although a business may be able to provide its service in a different manner.

Businesses are encouraged to work with and through their local Chamber of Commerce or industry group to answer questions. Questions for the County can be emailed to [email protected] Questions or concerns about physical distancing, face covering, or hygiene practices at any business or facility should be raised directly to the manager.