Nevada County, CA August 28, 2020 – Today, the Governor announced a new Blueprint for a Safer Economy  and a plan for reducing COVID-19 with revised criteria on businesses and activities by county. Currently, Nevada County’s Tier Ranking is in the red Tier 2 or “Substantial” Category. New guidelines will go into effect Monday, August 31. County staff will review impacts to the community through the weekend and invites everyone to learn more via the State provided documents, tools and links.Additionally, Nevada County plans to host COVID-19 Business Workshop on Zoom to address questions Monday, August 31 at 4:30 p.m.

All business sectors should closely review relevant guidelines as some may have changed. We are encouraged to report Nevada County restaurants may open indoor dining at 25% capacity beginning Monday. Nevada County Environmental Health will continue to assist with questions regarding facility’s capacity. They are also available to conduct an on-site visit to assist in creating a workable operational process that protects businesses, patrons and employees.

All members of the community are encouraged to consider how personal behavior can help move Nevada County to the next tier ranking.  Individual action will lead to collective mitigation that will shift the county’s tier status. Wearing a mask, maintaining physical distance, washing your hands and getting tested can help move Nevada County from Tier 2 to Tier 3 and support decreased modifications to business operations.

Increased Testing Can Help Improve Nevada County’s Tier Ranking

It should also be noted that increased testing has a positive impact on our Case Rate due to an adjustment factor that is applied if our testing is better than the state average. Additionally, if fewer people get tested it means that a higher proportion of those being tested are symptomatic, thus driving up our positivity rate. Getting tested is one way to keep Nevada County moving forward through the Tiers. Test sites have reduced turnaround times, and many are currently offering same day appointments. Two OptumServe testing sites are available in Nevada County; one in Grass Valley and one in the Town of Truckee. Symptomatic or asymptomatic can be tested. Insured, underinsured, and uninsured are welcome. You must pre-register and schedule an appointment at https://www.lhi.care/covidtesting or call 888-634-1123. Tests can also still be conducted by doctors’ offices too, but you do not need your physician’s approval to be tested at the OptumServe site. If you are symptomatic, please remember to call your primary care physician before physically going to the doctor.

Resources on New State Guidance

Guidance on Tiers: https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/Pages/COVID-19/COVID19CountyMonitoringOverview.aspx

New COVID website with a tool to look up jurisdiction to see what is open based on the tier: https://covid19.ca.gov/safer-economy/.

Summary of tiers and sector guidelines: https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/CDPH%20Document%20Library/COVID-19/Dimmer-Framework-August_2020.pdf

COVID-19 Business Workshop on Zoom: August 31 at 4:30 p.m.

Join staff from Nevada County for a COVID-19 Business Workshop to discuss changes with the State’s updated tier system.
Register in advance:
https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_xEDYfa3sSuCYVZPWNEG1AA

You will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

Additional Resources

Find more information about COVID-19 in Nevada County at www.mynevadacounty.com/coronavirus. Email questions about the State’s COVID-19 business sector guidance to covid19recovery@co.nevada.ca.us. To submit a business compliance complaint, visit www.mynevadacounty.com/asknevco or submit via the Ask Nevada County app.