>>>, THANK YOU, FOR JOINING US FOR THIS SPECIAL EDITION OF KPBS NEWS.

I AM MAYA TRABULSI.

IT SAN DIEGO IS NOW A AT A LEVEL OF REOPENING THAT WE HAVE NOT SEEN DURING THE PANDEMIC.

WE ARE AT THE ORANGE TIER.

AND ALLOWS A HIGHER CAPACITY FOR RESTAURANTS, GEMS AND PLACES OF WORSHIP.

NIGHTLY BUSINESS CURFEWS ARE GONE AND SO IS THE CAPACITY LIMIT FOR RETAIL.

KPBS REPORTER MATT HOFFMAN SPENT SOME TIME IN A GASLAMP ON THE FIRST DAY OF THE ORANGE TIER.

SPIKE IT IS AWESOME THAT WE CAN INCREASE OUR CAPACITY.

AND IT GIVES CONSUMERS A BIT MORE CONFIDENCE.

>> Reporter: CITY TOCCO OWNER GERALD TORRES IS OPENING UP A NEW LOCATION THAT IS WHEN YOU'RE IN THE MAKING.

>> IT WAS SCHEDULED TO OPEN IN MARCH OF LAST YEAR BUT THEN COVID-19 CAME.

>> Reporter: THINGS ARE DIFFERENT NOW THAT PEOPLE CAN BE SEATED INSIDE.

AND THE PADRES CAN INCREASE THEIR STADIUM CAPACITY.

>> THERE IS POSITIVE ATTITUDE IN OUR INDUSTRY NOW THAT THINGS ARE OPENING BACK UP AND PEOPLE CAN SUPPORT OUR STAFF AND MAKE A LIVING.

>> Reporter: SOCIAL TAB, WHICH IS RIGHT NEXT DOOR TO PETCO PARK.

>> THIS IS NOT A BAD ALTERNATIVE.

>> Reporter: HE CAN INCREASE HIS INDOOR CAPACITY AND THAT HAS A LOT TO DO TO BRING MORE STAFF BACK IN.

>> THIS YEAR, YOU ARE NOT STANDING AT THE BAR AND SAFETY PROTOCOLS ARE A BIT DIFFERENT.

I WILL TAKE THIS OVER LAST YEAR.

LAST YEAR WE WERE IN LOCKED DOWN.

IT TOOK THEY ARE FEELING A RENEWED SENSE OF OPTIMISM NOW THAT THE GOVERNOR HAS ANNOUNCED A TARGET DATE OF JUNE 15 TO LIFT ALL COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS.

>> THIS IS THE PERSON WE HAVE A HARD DATE TO WORK WITH.

>> Reporter: THIS IS ONE PLACE THAT JUST OPENED RIGHT AFTER THE PANDEMIC IT.

>> WE MISS PEOPLE AT THE BAR.

BUT, IT WILL EVENTUALLY GET BACK THERE.

>> Reporter: THIS IS LESS THAN HALF A MILE FROM PETCO PARK AND PARIS IS HOPING TO SEE PADRE FANS THIS YEAR NOW THAT THEY ARE IN THE ORANGE TIER.

BUSINESS OWNERS SAY THEY HAVE TO SCALE UP OPERATIONS.

>> IT IS STILL A SLOW PROCESS.

PEOPLE NEED THE OPPORTUNITY TO GO OUT AND ENJOY LUNCHES.

AND DINNERS.

AND IF YOU DO NOT, THE NUMBERS WILL SHOW THAT.

A TRUCK THE CALIFORNIA RESTAURANT ASSOCIATION PRESIDENT ESTIMATES THAT 30% OF EATERIES WILL BE SHUTTING THEIR DOORS BECAUSE OF THE PANDEMIC.

EVERY DAY, THERE ARE RESTAURANTS THAT ARE ON THE EDGE.

AND MANY OF THEM FALL OFF SO WE EXPECT THAT BETWEEN NOW AND JUNE 15 THERE ARE RESTAURANTS THAT --.

>> RESTAURANTS COULD SEE A BOOST IN SERVICES EFFECTIVE TODAY.

OUTSIDE PETCO PARK I AM MATT HOFFMAN FOR KPBS NEWS.

>>> AS MATT MENTIONED, THAT STORY AND THE TIER SYSTEM MIGHT BE WINDING DOWN.

HERE IS WHAT GOVERNOR GAVIN NEWSOM HAD TO SAY ASSUMING THAT TRENDS GO IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

>> WE ARE SEEING TODAY THAT ON JUNE 15 WE WILL BE MOVING BEYOND THE BLUEPRINT AND WILL BE GETTING RID OF THE COLORED TIERS.

WE WILL BE MOVING PAST THE DIMMER SWITCH AND GETTING RID OF THE BLUEPRINT AS YOU KNOW IT TODAY WITH THE EXPECTATION OF AN ABUNDANCE OF DOSES COMING IN FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT THROUGH THE END OF THIS MONTH AND INTO MAY.

WE CAN CONFIDENTLY SAY BY JUNE 15 THAT WE CAN START TO OPEN UP BUSINESS AS USUAL.

SUBJECT TO ONGOING MASK WEARING AND ONGOING VIGILANCE.

>> Reporter: ACCORDING TO THE STATE COVID-19 DASHBOARD, 1 IN 4 CALIFORNIANS ARE VACCINATED.

SIMILAR TO OUR COUNTY.

CASE NUMBERS AND DEATHS ARE TRENDING DOWN EVEN AS SOME STATES ARE SEEING A SURGE.

>>> A NATIONAL IN NATIONAL CITY LOOK FOR THE LOW RIDERS.

THEY ARE LOOKING TO GET MORE PEOPLE VACCINATED.

KPBS REPORTER MELISSA MAE SHOWS US HOW THE CLASSIC CARS ARE WORKING WITH THE CITY TO PROMOTE ACCESS.

TRUCK NATIONAL CITY IS TWO WEEKS INTO THE 100-DAY COVID-19 VACCINATION PROGRAM.

THE MAYOR SAYS THE COMMUNITY RESPONSE HAS BEEN POSITIVE.

>> IT HAS BEEN AMAZING.

WE HAVE HEARD THAT WE ARE DRIVING DEMAND.

>> Reporter: SO HOW DO WE DO BETTER?

BY USING ONE OF THE MOST ICONIC SYMBOLS OF FAMILIES IN THIS COMMUNITY.

LOW RIDER.

>> THE LOW RIDER IS PART OF THE LATINO AND CHICANO CULTURE.

IT IS NOT JUST A VEHICLE YOU SEE OUT ON DISPLAY.

IT IS ART.

IT IS EXPRESSION OF FAMILY MEMBERS THAT THEY MAY HAVE LOST OR RESPECT.

>> Reporter: THE UNITED LOW RIDER COALITION WILL SHOWCASE THEIR LOW RIDERS ON THE SECOND AND FOURTH SATURDAYS OF THE MONTH AT THE LAS PALMAS ELEMENTARY WHERE THERE IS A WALK-UP CLINIC.

>> IT IS A HUGE PART OF THE CULTURE IN NATIONAL CITY.

>> Reporter: A VOLUNTEER WITH THE LOW RIDER COALITION SAYS THE GROUP WILL SUPPORT THE CITY THAT MANY OF THEM CALL HOME.

>> IT WILL DRAW MORE PEOPLE TO THE EVENT.

ESPECIALLY THE LATINO COMMUNITY.

THEY WILL FEEL MORE CONFIDENT.

IN SAYING THAT I THINK I SHOULD GO DO THIS FOR MY FAMILY.

>> Reporter: THE FIRE CHIEF SAYS HE KNOWS WHAT THIS MEANS TO THE COMMUNITY.

>> THIS IS A GROUP OF FOLKS THAT HAVE GROWN UP IN THE COMMUNITY.

FOLKS ENJOYED THE VEHICLES IN THE CULTURE.

AND IT JUST BRINGS IT HOME FOR THEM.

>> Reporter: FROM NOW UNTIL THE BEGINNING OF JULY, PENDING VACCINATION AVAILABILITY, THERE WILL BE A WALK-UP CLINIC AT THE NATIONAL CITY LIBRARY EVERY SUNDAY.

I'M MELISSA MAE FOR KPBS NEWS.

>>> IT COMING UP, THERE ARE GROUPS HELPING TO FIND VACCINATION APPOINTMENTS.

WE WILL SHOW YOU SOME OF THE LOCAL ACCOUNTS THAT ARE GIVING REAL-TIME UPDATES FOR THE VACCINE SITUATION.

>>> MONDAY BRINGS A HUGE STEP FORWARD FOR KIDS AND THEIR PARENTS IN SAN DIEGO.

SAN DIEGO UNIFIED EXPECTS HALF OF THE STUDENTS TO RETURN TO IN- PERSON CLASSES.

THOSE NUMBERS WILL ONLY GO UP AS FAMILIES GET MORE COMFORTABLE WITH SENDING THEIR KIDS BACK TO SCHOOL.

OUR KPBS EDUCATIONAL REPORTER JOE HONG SHOWS HOW FAMILIES ARE GETTING READY.

>> Reporter: PARENT SURVEYS WERE DISTRIBUTED LAST MONTH TO SEE HOW MANY PEOPLE WILL BE RETURNING TO IN PERSON LEARNING.

ABOUT TWO THIRDS OF PARENTS HAVE RESPONDED.

AMONG THOSE, ABOUT THREE QUARTERS ARE COMFORTABLE SENDING THEIR KIDS BACK TO CAMPUS.

RICHARD BERG IS THE PRESIDENT OF THE SAN DIEGO UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT.

>> WE ARE READY FOR SURPRISES.

WE MAY HAVE STUDENTS SHOW UP THAT WE WERE NOT EXPECTING AND WE MAY HAVE STUDENTS WHO SIGNED UP TO BE IN PERSON NOT SHOW UP.

SO THEY WILL BE READY FOR WHOEVER SHOWS UP.

>> Reporter: DETERMINING THE NUMBER OF STUDENTS WILL BE IMPORTANT TO DETERMINING HOW MANY DAYS STUDENTS CAN BE ON CAMPUS.

IF A LARGE NUMBER WANT TO COME BACK, THEY WILL HAVE TO BE SPLIT INTO SMALLER GROUPS.

BUT IF YOU ARE RETURN, THEY CAN BE IN THE CLASSROOM UP TO FOUR DAYS PER WEEK.

>> RIGHT NOW IT LOOKS LIKE ABOUT THREE QUARTERS OF OUR SCHOOLS WILL BE OFFERING THREE DAYS AND THE REMAINDER OF THE SCHOOLS WILL EITHER BE AT TWO DAYS OR A COMBINATION OF, THERE MAY BE SOME GRADE LEVELS THAT ARE FOUR DAYS AND OTHERS AT TWO DAYS.

>> Reporter: THEY SAY DISTRICT OFFICIALS WILL TRY TO BE FLEXIBLE IF MORE STUDENTS TRIED TO COME BACK IN THE COMING WEEKS OR MONTHS.

BUT, IF A PARTICULAR SCHOOL ALLOWS FOUR DAYS OF IN-PERSON SCHOOLING THEY DO NOT PLAN TO REDUCE THE NUMBER OF DAYS TO ACCOMMODATE STUDENTS.

>> IF THAT -- IF THAT CREATES A REAL CHALLENGE SPACE WISE, YOU KNOW, WE DO NOT WANT TO MOVE FROM FOUR DAYS BACK TO TWO DAYS.

>> Reporter: THEY ARE HOPING TO GET ALL PARENTS TO RESPOND BUT THEY WILL ASSUME THAT THOSE THAT DON'T RESPOND WILL BE KEEPING THEIR KIDS AT HOME.

I'M LISA HELMKE KPBS NEWS.

>>> UC SAN DIEGO WILL BE BACK TO NORMAL IN THE FALL AND PLANS TO OFFER MOSTLY IN-PERSON INSTRUCTION.

SAN DIEGO STATE UNIVERSITY HAS SIMILAR PLANS.

THEY SAY THEY ARE EXPANDING ACTIVITIES AND WILL WELCOME BACK THOUSANDS OF STUDENTS TO ON- CAMPUS HOUSING.

THEY THINK THAT THE VAST MAJORITY OF THEIR STUDENTS AND STAFF WILL BE VACCINATED BEFORE THE START OF THE SCHOOL YEAR.

>>> VACCINATION ACCESS WILL BE EXPANDING TO ANYBODY 16 YEARS OLD AND OLDER.

OTHERS ARE ALREADY THERE INCLUDING RIVERSIDE.

WE CAUGHT OFF CAUGHT UP WITH SOME OF THE FIRST TO GET THEIR SHOTS.

>> Reporter: I AM FROM EAST DALE CALIFORNIA.

>> Reporter: HUNTER AND HIS FATHER WASTED NO TIME GETTING THEIR VACCINES WHEN RIVERSIDE COUNTY OPENED UP APPOINTMENTS TO THOSE 16 AND OLDER.

>> THIS MORNING I READ THE NEWS ARTICLE THAT THEY WERE OPENING IT UP TO THOSE ABOVE 16.

I GOT ME AND MY SON IN HERE RIGHT AWAY.

I WAS THE CLOSEST ONE AND WE GOT IT TODAY.

WE GOT IT DONE AND THEY HAVE PFIZER SO WE ARE HAPPY.

>> Reporter: PFIZER IS THE ONLY VACCINE APPROVED FOR THOSE 16 AND OLDER.

MODERNA AND JOHNSON & JOHNSON ARE FOR THOSE OVER 18.

THOSE 16 AND 17 YEARS OLD MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY A PARENT OR A LEGAL GUARDIAN TO RECEIVE THEIR SHOT.

>> I AM REALLY EXCITED BECAUSE NEXT WEEK WE ARE SUPPOSED TO GO BACK TO SCHOOL FOUR DAYS A WEEK.

>> Reporter: HUNTER WAS NOT THE ONLY TEENAGER ANXIOUS TO GET A SHOT.

>> I WANTED TO GRAB THIS AS SOON AS I COULD.

I GRABBED MY PHONE AND IT DID NOT TAKE MUCH TIME AT ALL.

>> Reporter: BRIAN GOT HIS FIRST DOSE OF THE MODERNA VACCINE.

>> I WAS EXCITED.

JUST BEING ABLE TO SAY THAT I HAVE MY VACCINE AND CAN ACTUALLY GO PLACES THAT I HAVE NOT BEEN IN THE LAST YEAR.

>> Reporter: WE SPOKE WITH SEVERAL PEOPLE IN THEIR 20s AFTER RECEIVING THEIR FIRST DOSE OF THE MODERNA VACCINE.

>> HONESTLY IT IS A BIT OF A RELIEF BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE TO WORRY.

I WAS GLAD THAT I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO GET IT.

>> Reporter: ACCORDING TO RIVERSIDE PUBLIC HEALTH, EXPANDING THE AGE RANGE OPENINGS OPENS THINGS UP TO RESIDENTS.

>> I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO THINGS GETTING BACK TO NORMAL.

AND WE CAN GO PLACES.

>> THAT WAS KATELYN REPORTING.

ONE MORE NOTE ON THE VACCINE IN KIDS.

PFIZER WANTS TO LOWER THEIR MINIMUM AGE TO 12 YEARS OLD.

THEY ARE SEEKING AUTHORIZATION TO THOSE 12 DOWN TO THE AGE OF 12.

IF APPROVED PFIZER WOULD BE THE FIRST COME THE TO EXPAND ITS ACCESS IN THIS WAY.

>>> HOW LONG DID IT TAKE YOU TO BOOK A VACCINATION APPOINTMENT?

WEATHER WITH YOUR PROVIDER, A COUNTY SUPER SITE OR A PHARMACY?

THERE IS A GOOD CHANCE YOU HAD TO NAVIGATE MULTIPLE SITES TO GET YOUR SHOT.

KPBS REPORTER JACOB AERE TELLS US ABOUT SOME SOCIAL MEDIA ACCOUNTS TRYING TO MAKE IT EASIER.

>> Reporter: ELIGIBILITY AND DEMAND FOR VACCINES OUTPACES SUPPLY.

SO SOME PEOPLE WITH TECHNOLOGY BACKGROUNDS ARE TRYING TO HELP OTHERS BOOK THEIR APPOINTMENTS.

THEY ARE USING TWITTER TO AUTOMATE BOTS THAT WILL LOOK FOR THE APPOINTMENTS FOR YOU.

ONE IS CALLED SAN DIEGO VACCINE BOT THAT WAS DEVELOPED BY OMAR DAMAGE.

>> THIS BOT DOES THE CHECKING FOR YOU.

EVERY FIVE MINUTES.

AND IF IT FINDS SOMETHING, IT WILL LET YOU KNOW THERE IS SOMETHING FOR YOU TO SCOOP UP.

IT IS NOT PERFECT BUT IT DOES TAKE AWAY THE BURDEN OF YOU HAVING TO CHECK AND HOPING THERE IS SOMETHING YOU CAN GRAB.

>> Reporter: ANOTHER IS CALLED VACCINATION SPOTTER.

KYLE SHANNON IS THE DEVELOPER.

>> WE WANT TO HELP PEOPLE WHO NEED A VACCINE.

PEOPLE THAT ARE IN THE RISK GROUP, AND THERE ARE PEOPLE THAT HAVE KIDS AND THEY CAN'T JUST SIT THERE ALL DAY AT THE COMPUTER.

IT MAKES IT WELL WORTH IT.

>> Reporter: THE DIFFERENT COVID-19 BOT CREATORS ARE WORKING TOGETHER AND YOU CAN SEE THAT IN THE SAN DIEGO COVID VACCINE BOT.

>> THE GOAL IS TO GET AS MANY SHOTS IN ARMS AS POSSIBLE.

IT BENEFITS ALL OF US.

IF IT INCREASES VIABILITY, WE WANT TO SHARE THE INFORMATION THAT ONE BOT HAS SET ANOTHER DOES NOT.

>> YOU CAN SEARCH THE INTERNET USING @COVIDVACCINESD ON TWITTER .

>>> THE DONOVAN PRISON IN MESA HAS BEEN AMONG THE MOST DEADLY FOR DEATH DURING COVID-19.

AND WE HAVE UNCOVERED NEW DETAILS ABOUT INMATES THAT DIED DURING THE VIRUS.

>> Reporter: DONOVAN PRISON WAS DEALING WITH A MAJOR OUTBREAK.

OVER FIVE WEEKS 18 INMATES DIED FROM THE VIRUS.

THESE ARE SOME OF THE MEN THAT LOST THEIR LIVES.

THEY RANGE IN THE AGE OF 48-83.

THREE WERE FOUND DEAD OR DYING OF THE VIRUS IN THEIR JAIL CELL.

THE OTHERS DIED AT HOSPITALS.

FIVE FAMILIES OF THOSE WHO DIED WERE TOLD US THAT THEY WERE NOT TOLD THAT THERE RELATIVES WERE ILL BUT ONLY THAT THEY DIED.

UC HASTINGS LAW PROFESSOR REVIEWED FINDINGS.

SHE SAYS THE QUALITY OF CARE PROVIDED TO THOSE DURING THE PANDEMIC IS HARD TO COMPREHEND.

>> WE HAVE TO KEEP IN MIND THAT EVEN IF YOU BELIEVE IN HARSH PUNISHMENT AND YOU BELIEVE THAT PEOPLE SHOULD DO THE TIME, NOBODY WAS SENTENCED TO DIE OF COVID-19 IN THEIR CELL.

>> THE CORRECTIONS DEPARTMENT OFFICIALS SAY THEY HAVE WORKED TIRELESSLY TO RESPOND TO THE PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY BUT THE GOAL OF PROTECTING PRISON STAFF AND INMATES.

THEY SAY INMATES ARE SCREENED TWICE PER DAY BY MEDICAL STAFF.

STATEWIDE NEARLY 55 PEOPLE HAVE CONTRACTED THE VIRUS.

200 HAVE DIED.

FOR KPBS AND I NEWS SOURCE I AM KPBS REPORTER JILL CASTELLANO.

>>> A NEW RENT RELIEF PROGRAM IS AVAILABLE IN SAN DIEGO.

IT WILL HELP PEOPLE STAY IN THEIR HOMES.

MELISSA MAE SAYS PEOPLE ARE BEING URGED TO APPLY IN LOCAL SCHOOLS ARE BEING USED TO HELP GET THE WORD OUT.

>> APPLICATIONS FOR THE COVID- 19 HOUSING STABILITY PROGRAM HAVE BEEN OPEN SINCE MARCH 15.

THEY ARE URGING LOW-INCOME FAMILIES TO UP APPLY FOR THE FUNDING.

>> WE HAVE MONEY TO HELP PEOPLE PAY DOWN BACK RENT AND THE PAST UTILITY BILLS AND GET BACK ON WITH THINGS, PARTICULARLY AS THE ECONOMY REOPENS.

>> Reporter: THIS IS CALLED THE MOST SIGNIFICANT PROGRAM IN CITY HISTORY.

HE SHARED HIS EXPERIENCE.

>> THIS REALLY DISTRACTED MY EDUCATION AND THAT OF MY SIBLINGS.

IT CREATED INCREDIBLE STRESS AND IMPACT ON MY PARENTS AS THEY WERE GOING THROUGH THEIR OWN HEALTH AND ECONOMIC TURMOIL AT THE TIME.

>> THE SAN DIEGO UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT IS PARTNERING WITH THE SAN DIEGO HOUSING COMMUNITY TO DISTRIBUTE FLYERS ABOUT THE HOUSING PROGRAM THAT SERVICE DISTRIBUTION SITES.

RICHARD BARRERA IS PART OF THAT DISTRICT.

>> STUDENT HOMES HAVE BECOME PART OF THE STUDENT CLASSROOM.

SO WHEN KIDS HAVE TO EXPERIENCE INSTABILITY BECAUSE THEIR PARENTS ARE WORRIED ABOUT PAYING THE RENT, IT IMPACTS THE STUDENT ABILITY TO CONCENTRATE ON EDUCATION.

>> Reporter: APPLICATIONS ARE BEING TAKEN AT COVERT ASSISTANCE.

SDHC.ORG OR CALL 619-535-6921.

>> PRIORITY WILL BE GIVEN TO THOSE THAT HAVE 50% OR LESS OF THE COMMUNITY MEDIAN INCOME OR IF AT LEAST ONE PERSON HAS BEEN UNEMPLOYED FOR 90 DAYS.

>>> SAN DIEGO ENTRY TO THE ORANGE TIER MEANS A LOT OF BIG ATTRACTIONS ARE EXPANDING BUSINESS.

THAT INCLUDES SEA WORLD THAT IS PREPARING TO REOPEN.

PEOPLE WILL BE ABLE TO GO ON RIDES AND ENTER INDOOR ATTRACTIONS.

IT WILL BE THE FIRST TIME IN OVER A YEAR THAT THEY WILL HAVE EVERYTHING OPEN EVEN THOUGH THERE IS STILL REDUCED ATTENDANCE.

THERE WILL BE RULES FOR SOCIAL DISTANCING AND MASK WEARING BUT RIGHT NOW ONLY CALIFORNIA RESIDENTS MAY ATTEND.

>>> THE OLD BLUES THEATER IN BALBOA PARK IS NOT REOPENING AS QUICKLY BUT THE WHEELS ARE IN MOTION.

THEY WILL BEGIN A PHASED APPROACH TO REOPENING IN JUNE.

STATE GUIDELINES WILL BE FOLLOWED.

THE LAST PERFORMANCE WAS SEPTEMBER 2019.

DETAILS ON PROGRAMMING AND SAFETY MEASURES ARE STILL BEING WORKED OUT.

>>> UP THE ROAD, A SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA STAPLE IS PLANNING A COMEBACK.

THE HOLLYWOOD BOWL WILL BE REOPENING ONE YEAR AFTER BEING SHUT DOWN FOR LIVE EVENTS.

THE FIRST SHOW WILL BE IN MAY FOR ABOUT 4000 HEALTHCARE WORKERS.

MORE INFORMATION ON THE SUMMER SCHEDULE WILL BE ANNOUNCED IN MAY.

>>> EVERYONE FROM WEDDING PLANNERS TO CATERERS ARE DESPERATE TO GET BACK TO WORK.

LOCAL LEADERS SAY THEY WANT TO HELP BY WAVING SOME OF THE USUAL COSTS OF DOING BUSINESS.

MATT HOFFMAN HAS THE STORY.

>> WE HAVE WAITED OUR TURN AND NOW IT IS TIME FOR OUR INDUSTRY TO OPEN UP.

>> Reporter: AFTER NEWS FROM STATE OFFICIALS THE PRIVATE GATHERINGS LIKE WEDDINGS CAN INCREASE CAPACITY WITH NEGATIVE TESTS AND VACCINATED GUESTS, A MOVEMENT TO HAVE THOSE THESE PERMANENT WE WAIVED.

>> WE BROUGHT 7.2 MILLION VISITORS AND BILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN SPENDING DURING 2019.

IN 2020, THAT TELLS A DIFFERENT STORY.

THAT WE ARE IN A DIFFERENT STORY AS WE COME OUT OF THE PANDEMIC.

WE HAVE TO INTENTIONALLY SUPPORT THE INDUSTRIES HARDEST HIT.

>> Reporter: SUPERVISOR NATHAN FLETCHER IS WILLING TO WAIVE SOME FEES.

>> IT HAS BEEN INCREDIBLY HARD.

I HAVE AN 18-YEAR-OLD SON GOING INTO COLLEGE AND WE HAVE USED HIS COLLEGE FUND TO SURVIVE.

SO WE DO NOT KNOW HOW WE WILL PAY FOR HIS COLLEGE.

WE HAVE SAVED 20 YEARS.

WHEN YOU LOOK AT THIS AND TRIED TO DECIDE IF YOU DO OR DON'T DO AN EVENT, THAT COULD BE THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN IF YOU GO FORWARD OR NOT.

>> Reporter: THE SAN DIEGO CONVENTION UNION HAS BEEN LOOKING AT THIS.

>> WE WANT A PASS BACK AND EVERY OTHER INDUSTRY HAS BEEN GIVEN A PATH BACK ON THE TIER SYSTEM.

>> HER PROPOSAL WILL BE TAKEN UP BY THE BOARD AND IT COULD SAVE A COLLECTIVE $2 MILLION.

>> IT HAS DECIMATED OUR INDUSTRY.

IT IS UNFORTUNATE.

BUT WE ARE READY TO COME BACK.

>> Reporter: AARON BIANCHI WITH THE ASSOCIATION FOR PRIVATE EVENTS IN CALIFORNIA SAYS THIS IS GOOD NEWS AND ALLOWING LARGER GROUP GATHERINGS IS BIG FOR THE INDUSTRY.

>> BEFORE IT WAS JUST A FEW HOUSEHOLDS WITH NO EATING OR DRINKING.

AND THAT IS NOT THE WEDDING THAT MANY PEOPLE DREAMED UP.

>> Reporter: BIANCHI SAYS MANY PEOPLE MOVE THEIR WEDDINGS TO ARIZONA BECAUSE THEY WERE NOT AS RESTRICTIVE.

>> IT HAS GOT TO BE ECONOMICALLY VIABLE FOR OUR WEDDING PLANNERS, OR VENDORS AND EVERYONE IN ORDER TO COME BACK.

IT HAS GOT TO MAKE SENSE FOR THEM.

>> Reporter: THE NEW GUIDELINES HIT APRIL 15.

PRIVATE EVENTS CAN HAVE UP TO 200 GUESS IF THEY HAVE NEGATIVE COVID-19 TESTS OR THEY ARE VACCINATED.

THOSE NUMBERS WILL INCREASE OVER TIME.

I MET HOFFMAN FOR KPBS NEWS.

>>> THE PANDEMIC CHANGED THE NATURE OF HOW WE WORK.

VANESSA TELLS US HOW SOME PEOPLE WOULD RATHER KEEP WORKING FROM HOME AFTER THE PANDEMIC IS OVER.

>> Reporter: FOR TOM MARTINEZ AND OTHER AMERICANS, THIS HAS BEEN THE MORNING COMMUTE TO WORK.

WORK FROM HOME IS THE NEW WAY TO WORK.

>> DO YOU FEEL LIKE YOU ARE ABLE TO DO YOUR JOB FROM HOME?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

PRETTY MUCH EVERYTHING THAT I DO RELIES ON DIGITAL TOOLS.

SO I AM IN FRONT OF A COMPUTER 90% OF THE TIME.

>> Reporter: MARTINEZ WORKS FOR A PUBLISHER.

HE IS MOVING TO UPSTATE NEW YORK AND HIS 11-YEAR-OLD SON WITH ADHD IS THRIVING WITH VIRTUAL LEARNING.

AND HE LOVES WORKING FROM HOME.

>> AT FIRST I WASN'T SURE BUT NOW I SEE THAT THERE ARE A LOT OF BENEFIT WITH NOT HAVING TO PERFORM TASKS IN A COMPARTMENTALIZED AND RIGID ORDER.

>> Reporter: AND NOW HIS COMPANY HAS FIGURED OUT HOW TO BRING PEOPLE BACK INTO THE OFFICE.

CITIGROUP WANTS TO HAVE 30% OF THEIR WORKFORCE IN THE OFFICE BY THIS SUMMER.

THE CITY WANTS TO BRING BACK 80,000 EMPLOYEES.

AS PSYCHOTHERAPISTS, TAYLOR SAYS SHE COULD BE BACK IN THE OFFICE WITHIN 30 DAYS.

>> WHAT IS YOUR LEVEL OF COMFORT AND ANXIETY?

>> DEFINITELY SOME ANXIETY AND SOME ANTICIPATION.

>> Reporter: SHE HAS BEEN SEEING PATIENTS VIRTUALLY AND HAS SHARED CONCERNS WITH HER EMPLOYER ABOUT A RETURN TO IN PERSON WORK.

>> WE HAVE TALKED ABOUT SOME OF THE CONCERNS WITH BEING IN SMALL ROOMS FACE-TO-FACE.

SOMETIMES THOSE ROOMS DON'T HAVE WINDOWS OR THEY ARE NOT WELL VENTILATED.

IT IS TRYING TO FIND A BALANCE BETWEEN WHAT IS THE BEST CARE FOR SOMEBODY VERSUS WHAT IS THE SAFEST FOR EVERYBODY.

>> Reporter: EVEN AS VACCINATIONS RAMP UP, 55% OF ADULTS SAY RETURNING TO PRE- PANDEMIC LIFE WOULD BE A MARGARET MODERATE OR LARGE RISK TO THEIR HEALTH AND WELL-BEING.

SPOTIFY HAS 3000 U.S. EMPLOYEES AND THEY CAN NOW WORK FROM ANYWHERE.

>> WHAT WE ARE AIMING FOR IS --.

>> Reporter: THE CHIEF INFORMATION OFFICER AT SPOTIFY SAYS THE NEW MODEL WILL WORK LONG TIME.

>> EFFICIENCY DID NOT GO DOWN.

I THINK IT IS THE FUTURE OF WORK.

AND I THINK WE WILL SEE THAT IN SOME INDUSTRIES AND BUSINESSES.

>> Reporter: THIS LAST YEAR HAS SHIFTED PRIORITIES FOR COMPANIES AND EMPLOYEES.

IT HAS CHANGED FOR MARTINEZ.

>> WE WOULD COME HOME FROM WORK AND EXHAUSTED.

NOW WE ARE HOME TOGETHER TAKING TIME AND BENEFITING FROM IT TREMENDOUSLY.

PEOPLE ARE STARTING TO VALUE THE MOMENTS THAT WE HAVE TOGETHER.

MAYBE THAT IS SOMETHING WE WERE TAKING FOR GRANTED FOR A MINUTE THERE.

>> THAT WAS VANESSA REPORTING.

BE SURE TO SUBSCRIBE TO THE KPBS PAGE ON YOUTUBE.

YOU CAN STREAM ALL OF OUR PODCASTS, REPORTED STORIES AND ALL EPISODES OF KPBS EVENING EDITION.

THAT IS IT FOR TWO NIGHTS EDITION OF KPBS NEWS.

FROM ALL OF US HERE AT KPBS HAVE A GOOD EVENING.

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