Calif. extends to-go alcohol, more outdoor dining

There's one enduring pandemic rule Californians are sure to toast: The to-go cocktail.

Gov. Gavin Newsom announced Thursday he's extending executive orders that allow restaurants to sell alcohol to go and expand outdoor dining.

The move comes as California is set to fully reopen in less than two weeks and do away with virtually all mask and social distancing requirements for vaccinated people.

Recent U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance says that fully vaccinated people can now skip face coverings and distancing in nearly all situations and the state is set to follow that recommendation starting June 15.

More than 17.5 million of California’s nearly 40 million residents are fully vaccinated, state health officials said Thursday, and the positivity rate for the virus is 0.9%.