The CDC is lifting travel restrictions on fully vaccinated individuals, but San Joaquin County remains in the COVID purple level

LODI, California – For the first time since March 2020, Gabe and Debi Hererra have left their Stockton home.

“So this is exciting. It’s a beautiful day. It’s just before Easter,” said Debi Hererra.

Fully vaccinated, the couple stopped for a wine tasting at the Intercoastal winery in Lodi on North Highway 88.

The couple also happened to be on the Grand Princess cruise ship, the first ship in the epicenter of the COVID-19 outbreak in the United States.

Today they enjoy a completely different time.

“Enjoy the day, what [we] I haven’t made it for a while, “said Gabe Hererra.

For the winery owner Rachele Spaletta, a blessing in tourism cannot come soon enough. Her family closed their stationary winery last April. So far, they survive with 13 types of wine, an online shop, and an outdoor tasting.

They manage 500 acres of vineyards. Their winery has just been awarded a gold medal in the 2021 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition for their Petite Sirah.

Spaletta hopes this will attract more tourists.

“We’re hopeful. We stay positive and encourage people to come out. We’re very busy on the weekends when everyone is enjoying this outdoor space,” Spaletta said.

In 2018, tourism in Lodi had nearly one million visitors, spending a total of $ 211 million.

Numbers are not available for losses during the pandemic, but Lodi is about to make a comeback.

“Our wineries, hotels, and restaurants have done a phenomenal job of being open in ways that enable safe travel. And we’ve seen an increase in travel,” said Nancy Beckman, CEO and President of Visit Lodi! Conference and visitor office.

But what continues to hold tourism here is of course the ongoing COVID-19 restrictions and being stuck in the purple plain.

COVID-19 cases have increased.

“Our fall rate is still a little bit higher than any of us would like, but positivity testing and our positivity rate for health justice are really in the orange range. So that helps us move. We hope our fall rate drops enough,” said Tiffany Heyer of the San Joaquin County Office of Emergency Services.

At the moment everything is outside, but the 85 wineries in Lodi hope that tourists will soon toast inside too.

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