California celebrates reopening as many pandemic rules end

California Gov. Gavin Newsom has celebrated the lifting of most COVID-19 restrictions in the nation's most populated state

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 Gov. 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 Tuesday. “California has turned the page. Let us all celebrate this remarkable milestone,” an exuberant and mask-less 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 Newsom called a new day for California, which was the first state in the country to order a coronavirus lockdown in March 2020 and is among the last to fully reopen.