January 12, 2021 at 6:38 PM Update from Nevada County: Due to Nevada County’s current daily average of COVID-19 cases and positivity rate, Nevada County will be exiting the Stay Home Order into the Widespread Purple Tier.
Although this is welcome news that our ICU capacity is projected to be above 15%, Nevada County remains well into the Widespread Purple Tier with significant business modifications. Nevada County Public Health continues to thank the community for wearing a mask, being mindful of social distancing and refraining from social gatherings. Together, we can stop the surge to save lives and work towards lowering our daily COVID-19 cases and positivity rate which may allow us to move into the less restrictive Red Tier.
Moving into the Widespread Purple Tier
As we move back into the Widespread Purple Tier, some businesses will be able to reopen with modifications. Most notably, these are:
- Hair Salons/Barbershops/Personal Care: Open with modifications in the Purple Tier
- Hotels and Lodging: Open with modifications in the Purple Tier
- Movie Theaters: Outdoor only with modifications in Purple Tier
- Wineries: Outdoor only with modifications in the Purple Tier
- Restaurants: Outdoor dining with modifications allowed in Purple Tier
January 12, 2021 – Governor Gavin Newsom announced the Greater Sacramento area, which is comprised of Alpine, Amador, Butte, Colusa, El Dorado, Nevada, Placer, Plumas, Sacramento, Sierra, Sutter, Yolo and Yuba counties, is exiting the the Regional Stay-at-Home and going back to purple tier effective today.
Today, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) released the most recent statistics on COVID-19, including data on intensive care unit (ICU) capacity across the state. Based on four-week ICU projections, the Greater Sacramento region can immediately exit the Regional Stay at Home Order. Counties within that region will return to the tiering system and rules under the Blueprint for a Safer Economy.
ICU capacity projections for regions that are eligible to exit the order are calculated daily based on four factors: current estimated regional ICU capacity available, measure of current community transmission, current regional case rates and the proportion of ICU cases being admitted. Decreasing community transmission and increasing the health system capacity can help a region’s projected ICU capacity so they can exit the order. Read the full Regional Stay Home Order, Supplement to the Order, and frequently asked questions.
The counties are reverting to the Purple Tier, with the restrictions as outlined in this pdf document.
Notable changes in business activities include:
- Restaurants can be open for take out and outdoor dining with modifications
- Bars, Breweries, and Distilleries (where no meal provided) (follow restaurant guidance where meal is provided) remain closed.
Hair Salons & Barbershops – Open Indoors with modifications - All Retail (including critical infrastructure, except standalone grocers) – Open Indoors with modifications – Max 25% capacity
- Places of Worship – Outdoor Only with modifications
As of today, Nevada County has 3,013 confirmed COVID-19 cases.

We will update this story with additional details when available.