LOS ANGELES - California will fully reopen by June 15 if the current rate of vaccinations continues, lifting all COVID-related restrictions on businesses and gatherings, Governor Gavin Newsom said Tuesday.

The nation's most populous state has now administered 20 million vaccine doses, and will end its tier-based reopening blueprint if there are no spikes or vaccine shortages.

"We are announcing today that on June 15... we'll be getting rid of the blueprint, as you know it today. That's on June 15 if we continue the good work," said Newsom, adding that mask-wearing requirements would remain.

AFP