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NEWS-PRESS SPECIAL REPORT
Life after the tiers Santa Barbara businesses make plans as mask mandate ends
By MADISON HIRNEISEN NEWS-PRESS CORRESPONDENT
What will life look like on Tuesday? That question has been looming in the minds of many California residents since Gov. Gavin Newsom chose June 15 as the date to dissolve the state’s tier system. Tuesday marks that long awaited day, yet there still remains some confusion among business owners and managers about what exactly will be allowed after the state disbands its longstanding system of restrictions. For one thing, the state has announced it will align with the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention on mask guidance, meaning that fully vaccinated individuals will be allowed to go maskless in most settings. This excludes public transit, schools and childcare facilities, health care settings, correctional facilities and homeless shelters, which will require that everyone wear a mask no matter their vaccination status. According to the state’s new guidance, unvaccinated individuals will still be required to wear masks in indoor public settings and businesses, such as retail stores, restaurants, theaters and family entertainment centers. While the new guidance will rid the state of its mask mandate for vaccinated individuals, the state is allowing businesses the option to decide how they will handle masking in their establishments. Businesses essentially have three options — provide information to all patrons about vaccination requirements and allow customers to self-attest that they are fully vaccinated; implement a vaccine verification
RAFAEL MALDONADO / NEWS-PRESS
With the state’s shift in guidance on Tuesday, smiles will be seen all around as fully vaccinated individuals can unmask in most settings.
system to determine whether individuals must wear a mask; Please see NO TIERS on A5
FYI Under the state’s new guidelines that will take effect Tuesday: Fully vaccinated individuals can go maskless in most settings — excluding public transit, indoors in schools and childcare facilities, health care settings, correctional facilities and homeless shelters. Unvaccinated or partially vaccinated individuals will still be required to wear masks in all indoor public settings. Businesses can choose one of three options: Make masks optional for vaccinated patrons and allow customers to self-attest their vaccination status; create a vaccine verification system; or require all customers to wear masks. The state will disband all capacity and social distancing restrictions.
Residents gather for Loma Fire town hall on lower West Side By MADISON HIRNEISEN NEWS-PRESS CORRESPONDENT
A group of City officials and residents gathered for a town hall at Parque de los Ninos on Saturday to discuss issues related to last month’s Loma Fire, which scorched about nine acres of hillside on the lower West Side. The event, organized by
Councilmember Oscar Gutierrez and Mayor Cathy Murillo, informed local residents about the use of emergency notifications, efforts for hillside stabilization and disaster preparedness measures. In the aftermath of the Loma Fire, many lower West Side residents voiced concerns about Please see TOWN HALL on A2
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Oprah Winfrey delivers UCSB commencement address By MADISON HIRNEISEN NEWS-PRESS CORRESPONDENT
Renowned talk show host and Montecito resident Oprah Winfrey was the keynote speaker for UCSB’s virtual commencement Saturday, encouraging graduates with a message of service and strength. In a pre-recorded speech, Ms. Winfrey praised graduates for
their resilience throughout the past 15 months of the COVID19 pandemic, reflecting on the legacy that the class will leave behind when the pandemic ends. “You already have in your young lives created a legacy of resilience,” Ms. Winfrey said. “Not giving up when the challenges kept coming, making virtual reality your reality, all Please see UCSB on A7
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“Because of what you’ve been through, not just in this past year, but in every life encounter that challenged you, you now have power,” Oprah Winfrey, renowned journalist and Montecito resident, said during Saturday’s commencement. “You have the energy and idealism that it’s going to take to change the world that you’re now inheriting.”
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KENNETH SONG / NEWS-PRESS PHOTOS
At left, patrons enjoy lively conversation at The Red Piano on State Street in downtown Santa Barbara. Come Tuesday, the state will disband its tier system, signaling the reopening of the state’s economy. At right, John Dixon, the owner of Tri-County Produce, told the News-Press that his store will likely make masks optional for vaccinated individuals come Tuesday.
Sudoku................. B3 Weather................ A4
Saturday’s SUPER LOTTO: 5-10-21-22-36 Mega: 10
Saturday’s DAILY 4: 9-1-2-8
Friday’s MEGA MILLIONS: 4-43-56-63-68 Mega: 13
Saturday’s FANTASY 5: 4-8-15-26-27
Saturday’s DAILY DERBY: 04-03-06 Time: 1:49.05
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Saturday’s DAILY 3: 3-0-4 / Midday 7-0-9