Safe Reopening

California fully reopened the economy on June 15, 2021.

Businesses and activities can currently operate normally, except for "Mega Events." Face coverings continue to be required in some settings. 

Mega Events

Effective April 1, 2022, requirements for vaccine verification or proof of negative test for Indoor Mega Events will be lifted and move to a strong recommendation.

Mega Events have large crowds: more than 1,000 people indoors or 10,000 outdoors. Events must follow guidance below from the California Department of Public Health (CDPH).

Indoor and Outdoor Mega Events

Examples of indoor mega events include conventions, conferences, expos, sporting events, and concerts. Examples of outdoor mega events include music or food festivals, car shows, large endurance events and marathons, parades, sporting events, and concerts.

  • Verification of fully vaccinated status or pre-entry negative test result (see definition below) is strongly recommended for all attendees. 
  • Venue and event operators are strongly recommended to use verification options for providing proof of vaccination in the CDPH Vaccine Record Guidelines & Standards, and not use self-attestation as a mode of verification.
  • All businesses and venue operators should check the identification of all attendees, aged 18 and over, to validate their vaccination record or proof of negative test.
    • Acceptable identification is any document that includes the name of the person and their photograph.
  • Information should be prominently placed on all communications, including the reservation and ticketing systems, to ensure guests are aware that the State strongly recommends they be “up-to-date,” or obtain a negative COVID-19 test prior to attending the event.
  • Follow current CDPH Guidance for Face Coverings. 
  • Venues should consider making masks (preferably respirators) available to attendees upon request.

Definition of Pre-entry Negative Testing

Testing must be conducted within one day for an antigen test and within two days for a PCR test prior to entry into an event. Results of the test must be available before entering the facility or venue. Children under 2 years old are exempt.

Definition of “Up-to-Date”

You are up-to-date with your COVID-19 vaccines when you have completed a COVID-19 vaccine primary series and got the most recent booster dose recommended for you by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

  • If you have completed your primary series—but are not yet eligible for a booster—you are also considered up-to-date.

If you become ill with COVID-19 after you received all COVID-19 vaccine doses recommended for you, you are also considered up-to-date. You do not need to be revaccinated or receive an additional booster.