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SAN FRANCISCO — Welcome back, California. San Francisco announced the return of its iconic cable cars. Disneyland threw open its doors to out-of-state tourists. And Governor Gavin Newsom marked the day with Hollywood flair, visiting Universal Studios to celebrate the lifting of most COVID-19 restrictions and what he called the “full reopening” of the Golden State’s economy.
“California has turned the page. Let us all celebrate this remarkable milestone,” an exuberant and maskless Mr Newsom declared from an outdoor stage at Universal Studios Hollywood, where he hosted a game show-style selection of 10 residents to receive $1.5 million apiece, just for getting vaccinated.
“Today is a day to reconnect with strangers, loved ones, family members. Give people hugs.”
Life-sized Minions, Avengers and other movie mascots danced and cheered during festivities to mark what Mr Newsom called a new day for California, which was the first state in the US to order a coronavirus lockdown in March 2020 and is among the last to fully reopen.
President Joe Biden on Tuesday encouraged nationwide July 4 celebrations to mark the country’s effective return to normalcy.
At midnight, California lifted most of is pandemic restrictions, meaning no more state rules on physical distancing or capacity limits at restaurants, bars, supermarkets, gyms, museums, amusement parks, stadiums or anywhere else.
Masks are no longer mandated for vaccinated people in most settings, though businesses and counties can still require them and other restrictions.