Sonoma, Napa and Contra Costa counties enter COVID-19 orange tier

WALNUT CREEK, Calif. (KGO) -- Sonoma, Napa and Contra Costa counties are officially moving into the orange coronavirus reopening tier Wednesday, which means they will be able to reopen with higher capacities.

That leaves Solano County as the Bay Area's only red tier.

RELATED: Gov. Newsom announces plan to fully reopen California on June 15

In Contra Costa County, this orange tier move comes with a message - county health officials are encouraging everyone over the age of 16 to get vaccinated so we can keep heading in this direction.

The orange tier means businesses like restaurants, gyms and movie theatres along with places of worship can allow more people inside. Bars can open to customers outside -- there is no longer a meal requirement in the orange tier.

Health officials say residents should feel good about the progress they have made, but should not let down their guard, with Contra Costa Co. saying their case rates have plateaued and Sonoma saying the number of cases there have started to creep back up.

"I'm not ready to go into a movie theater to be honest with you, if its packed," said Walnut Creek resident Neal Grindheil. "I would just say use common sense and take care of your family. That's why I'm walking right now. Six in the morning, nobody is on the street."

So the feeling Wednesday is to celebrate these openings - with caution and a lot of encouragement to get vaccinated.

VACCINE TRACKER: How California is doing, when you can get a coronavirus vaccine

Having trouble loading the tracker above? Click here to open it in a new window.

RELATED STORIES & VIDEOS:

• Map shows which counties can, can't reopen under reopening tiers


• Cheat sheet: What you can and can't do after being fully vaccinated


• CA COVID-19 Vaccine Tracker: See your status here


• These CA counties are way ahead in vaccinations


• How to register for a COVID-19 vaccine in every Bay Area county


• Map shows everywhere you can get a COVID-19 test in the Bay Area


• Interactive map shows what's closed and what's reopening in the San Francisco Bay Area


• Data tracker: Coronavirus cases, deaths, hospitalizations in every Bay Area county



• COVID-19 Diaries: Personal stories of Bay Area residents during pandemic


• Get the latest updates on California EDD, stimulus checks, unemployment benefits


• Coronavirus origin: Where did COVID-19 come from?


• What is a COVID-19 genetic, antigen and antibody test?


• What does COVID-19 do to your body and why does it spread so easily?


• Coronavirus Timeline: Tracking major moments of COVID-19 pandemic in San Francisco Bay Area


• Coronavirus Doctor's Note: Dr. Alok Patel gives his insight into COVID-19 pandemic