California Gov. Gavin Newsom spent the past year as one of the nation's most restrictive pandemic governors. Now, he’s throwing the doors open.

Facing a recall threat, Newsom this month announced the return of outdoor concerts and Major League Baseball games, allowed Disneyland to open its gates soon and signed legislation that attempts to reopen schools.

The Democratic governor has two things going for him: a decline in the infection rate and an increase in vaccinations. But the shift in his Covid-19 strategy has prompted cynicism from Republicans and some local leaders as a recall election becomes reality. Would this be happening if not for the movement to oust him?

"Now the recall pressure is on him and suddenly he's changed his tune," said Jon Fleischman, a conservative pundit and former executive director of the California Republican Party. "He's changing the very framework he set up, and it's right about the time that it became obvious that this recall is going to qualify."

Newsom acknowledged this week that the recall election will likely happen as organizers said they had more than 2 million signatures ahead of Wednesday's submission deadline.

The same governor who was lauded for taking the virus seriously last spring and who imposed a curfew and stay-at-home orders during the holiday season is now moving quickly to reopen all parts of society. It's not anywhere near the degree of what Republican governors in Texas and Mississippi have done — Newsom's rules still require masks, social distancing and capacity limitations. But the message is clear: California is open again.

Newsom this month changed rules in such a way that dozens of counties are able to reopen businesses and schools sooner, thrilling restaurateurs and pandemic-weary residents but infuriating teachers unions and some local officials who said the acceleration was arbitrary.