Image via WIkipedia user Jcarrello.

Madera County joined the remainder of the Central Valley in the moderate “Orange Tier” of business restrictions as part of the state’s “Blueprint for a Safer Economy” on Tuesday.

Tulare County was the first Central Valley county to enter Orange Tier back at the beginning of April, followed by Fresno and Kings counties a few weeks later.

Under Orange Tier, Restaurants can increase capacity to 50%, and bars without food service can open outdoors with modifications. The Blueprint for a Safer Economy does not quantify capacity for retail, but says retail can be open indoors with modifications.

Movie theaters can also open with a 50% capacity, or 200 people – whichever is fewer. Gyms can increase capacity to 25%, up from 10% in the red tier.

The Blueprint’s day are numbered, however, as Gov. Gavin Newsom announced in April that the restrictions would be lifted effective June 15 if certain Covid-related metrics were met.

Madera County reported a case rate of 3.1 per 100,000 and a positivity rate of 1.6%.

According to a notice from the Madera County Department of Public Health, its testing rate is an item of concern.

“Testing in Madera County is 269.6 per 100,000 which is below the state median of 325.91 per 100,000. We need to start testing at a higher rate to avoid being adjusted upward,” according to a statement.