The Santa Barbara County Public Health Department revised its Health Officer Order on Tuesday to allow schools to reopen for in-person instruction with modifications.
As of Tuesday, Oct. 13, Santa Barbara County has been in the state's COVID-19 red tier for two consecutive weeks, which means schools can now reopen.
Schools that wish to bring students back on campus must create a reopening plan that is sent to the Public Health Department.
The revised Health Officer Order also updates restrictions on gatherings. While the state recently released new guidance about gatherings that allows up to three households to get together at a time, the order says gatherings of all sizes remain prohibited in Santa Barbara County, unless an exemption applies.
The order defines a gathering as "any event or convening that brings together people from different households in a single room or single space at the same time, such as an auditorium, stadium, arena, large conference room, meeting hall, cafeteria, or any other indoor or outdoor space, whether public or private."
There are exemptions for businesses, outdoor recreational activities, congregate living situations, and events such as outdoor worship services, outdoor wedding ceremonies, outdoor cultural ceremonies, outdoor protests, or outdoor political speech.
Click here to read the full order.