‘Proceed carefully’: Dallas County lowers COVID-19 threat level for unvaccinated

Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins announced Monday that the county was lowering the coronavirus threat level to yellow — the lowest it has been since the county began its color-coded warning system last year.

The change, announced on Twitter, means that unvaccinated people can safely increase activities such as eating inside restaurants, shopping and travel. In all instances, physical distance, hand washing and face coverings are still recommended for unvaccinated people.

Earlier this month, county commissioners raised questions about whether the tool had outlived its purpose given most pre-pandemic activities have returned and federal health officials have relaxed nearly all precautions for fully vaccinated people.

Fewer than 1 million Dallas County residents over 12 are fully vaccinated, according to state data.