COVID-19 rates are falling in Santa Clara County. The 7-day rolling average number of new cases is currently 296.
As a result, County officials today moved to open up more outdoor activities, effective February 26.
Youth sports can resume. Performing arts can resume. Enrichment activities can resume. But these have to be done outdoors.
In the meantime, outdoor gatherings will become more permissible, the better to discourage indoor gatherings, where COVID-19 is more likely to spread.
In a statement, Public Health Officer and Director of Public Health Dr. Sara Cody said, “We have been fighting COVID in Santa Clara County for over a year. We recognize the toll of the pandemic on everyone’s mental, physical, and spiritual health, and the need to balance the risk of COVID with other human needs. Children and adults alike need to participate in the many activities that support their mental, physical, and social wellbeing. We know that the State has made rapid changes to its rules on athletic activities. It is important that changes are consistent across the board. We recognize the importance of all outdoor activities—athletic and non-athletic—to our health and are seeking to allow as much as we can given current levels of community transmission.”
The statement went on to read, “Although community transmission has lowered, the County reminds the community that no activities involving multiple households are risk-free. Community members are encouraged to continue practicing proven measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19, such as wearing masks, physical distancing, and getting vaccinated when it is your turn.”
