Why California Is Still in a State of Emergency Wednesday: Even as coronavirus pandemic rules are lifted, the official emergency status will continue. Here’s what that means. Image Olivia Ruiz visiting the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach on Tuesday.Credit...Allison Zaucha for The New York Times Good morning. California has one of the lowest coronavirus case rates in the nation. And after being one of the nation’s most stringently locked down states for more than a year, the state next week will lift nearly all of its pandemic rules in what officials have said they are confident will be a safe, triumphant reopening.