So long, social distancing: What ‘back to normal’ day was like in Berkeley
With the mask mandate lifted, businesses are weighing employee and customer safety in deciding new rules.
Coronavirus
Top Stories
California reopens June 15: What changes and what doesn’t?
What you need to know about wearing masks, whether you need to keep your distance and your workplace.
Berkeley enters yellow COVID-19 tier one week shy of state reopening
It’s the first time since the state began its tier system last summer that Alameda County has entered the least-restrictive, yellow tier.
Don’t toss your masks: How to use N95s and other air filters for fire season
In Berkeley and beyond, it’s not too soon to prepare for unhealthy air days.
COVID-19 vaccine
Newsom offers big bucks for Californians who get their COVID-19 vaccine
The governor announced a $116.5 million inoculation lottery program. Random drawings will be held in June.
In brief
Vaccinated people still need to wear masks indoors in Berkeley, for now
California’s mask mandate will be lifted on June 15, when the state economy reopens.
Berkeley 12- to 15-year-olds line up eagerly for vaccines
Over 150 families showed up at Civic Center Park Thursday. By 3:30 p.m., the clinic had distributed 114 doses and had nearly run out of vaccines for the day.
Why are some Berkeley ZIP codes getting COVID-19 vaccines faster?
Income, politics and systemic racism in health care are all factors, experts say.
Pfizer’s vaccine is now approved for kids as young as 12. Here’s what you need to know.
The FDA has given Pfizer emergency authorization so preteens can get vaccinated against COVID-19.
City
Berkeley Public Library to reopen some branches after 14-month closure
Patrons will be able to walk into the North Branch on May 28, the West Branch on June 7, and the Central Branch on June 15.
In brief
Berkeley offering $700,000 to community groups for COVID-19 outreach, equity efforts
The grants will go toward community organizations that work with vulnerable groups.
Vaccine passports in California? Answers to your questions
State officials said proof of vaccinations may be required at some large events.
In brief
Berkeley COVID-19 vaccines available without appointments
No appointment is needed for a one- or two-shot COVID-19 vaccine at the Bayer site in West Berkeley. Drop-ins are also open at Golden Gate Fields.
Schools
Attendance is up in Berkeley schools. Does it mean more learning?
Though attendance is up and there are fewer chronically absent students, some students have missed nearly a year of school.
Mental health crisis will outlast pandemic in Berkeley schools
Health professionals and Berkeley Unified counselors are bracing for a new wave of students needing mental health care when full-time, in-person school returns in the fall.
How Berkeley Unified has begun to spend its COVID-19 funds
The district has allocated $3 million of $16 million in COVID relief money. The money is going toward individual schools, technology replacement, special education assessments and more.
Berkeley Unified seniors will graduate in person this June
The graduation will be split into several ceremonies held at Berkeley High’s stadium June 4-6.
Nosh
In brief
Berkeley enters orange tier: Bars, offices able to reopen
California is expected to announce Tuesday that Alameda County can move into the orange tier, meaning Berkeley could open bars and expand several other business operations.
In brief
Alameda County should enter red tier soon: Berkeley indoor dining, gyms would then reopen
The County and Berkeley will enter red tier next week if they can sustain low case rates, making several businesses eligible to reopen indoors.
In brief
Berkeley unanimously approves $5-per-hour hazard pay for grocery store workers
The law goes into effect immediately and applies to larger grocery stores with 300 or more employees.
Local home cooks make and deliver free lasagnas to neighbors in need
Lasagna Love is a grassroots campaign that matches volunteer home cooks with anyone struggling during the pandemic who could use a free, hot meal.
Oakland approves $5 hazard pay for grocery workers; Berkeley considers it
Oakland grocery workers are getting a substantial hazard pay raise starting immediately.
Are people really drinking more at home during the pandemic?
We spoke to several East Bay specialty liquor retailers to find out how the pandemic has affected business.
Golden Gate Fields
Volunteers no longer welcome at Berkeley’s main COVID-19 vaccination site
Curative, the private company running the site, is concerned about the liability of using volunteers at the Golden Gate Fields site.
Berkeley mass vaccination site inoculates 323 people in ‘soft launch’
Vaccine appointments at Golden Gate Fields are currently hard to come by.
Update: ‘Mass vaccination site’ now open for residents age 75 or older
The North County Mass Vaccination Site is in the north parking lot of Golden Gate Fields. Appointments can be made online.
In brief
Live racing to resume at Golden Gate Fields following COVID-19 outbreak
“COVID-19 concerns on the campus have decreased to levels to allow the resumption of live racing,” Golden Gate Fields said Friday in a prepared statement.
‘Urgent’ changes at Golden Gate Fields amid 100 more COVID-19 cases
More than 300 people at Golden Gate Fields have now tested positive for COVID-19. The racetrack has approximately 540 workers, the state has said.
In brief
In brief
People fully vaccinated against COVID-19 can go maskless outside in Berkeley
The move puts the city in alignment with the new guidelines by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
In brief
Berkeley COVID-19 vaccines are now open to 16 and over, regardless of residence
Seventy percent of Berkeley residents have had one dose and over 45% of those who are eligible are fully vaccinated.
In brief
Cal to require vaccines for students, faculty this fall
Exemptions will be made based on religious beliefs or medical history.
Opinion
Opinion: Berkeley mayor says, do your part to address public health risks
The city of Berkeley will help businesses and artists impacted by the coronavirus and is taking steps to help the homeless, seniors, and single parents, among others.
Opinion: Change your behavior now to prevent spread of COVID-19, implores Berkeley native quarantined in Italy
The outbreak of COVID-19 is now a global pandemic. People should take it seriously, yet also be wary of alarmist panic.
Opinion: When Berkeley residents are there for each other, we are at our best
COVID-19 is also threatening a local economic crisis, which may affect the viability of Berkeley’s small businesses. Here are some steps we can take to help out.
Recent stories
Alameda County’s new COVID death toll is 25% lower than thought
County health officials reviewed COVID-19 death records and found 411 cases that were “clearly not” caused by the disease.
