Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information for Businesses, Employers, and Employees

Health Officer Orders and Directives

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Updates to Health Officer Orders and Directives

Notice of Suspension or Restrictions of Indoor and Outdoor Activity

February 23, 2021

In alignment with the State’s recommendations, San Francisco is reopening at the State’s Purple Tier starting January 28, 2021. The decision to reopen balances the public health risks of COVID-19 transmission with the public health risks of economic and mental health stress.

COVID-19 case rates are twice as high now as they were the last time San Francisco opened at the State’s Purple Tier. This means twice as many people walking around San Francisco have COVID-19 than the last time we reopened. Most COVID-19 infections are caused by people who have no symptoms of illness. We also have confirmed there are new, more contagious virus variants in the San Francisco Bay Area and that these variants are more likely to cause serious illness and death. The opening of sectors does not signify that these activities are “safe.”

We have made our best efforts to create guidance to help these activities and sectors provide safer environments for workers and the public. However, this requires that everyone do their part to make these activities as safe as possible, including wearing masks that cover your mouth and nose especially when talking, avoiding indoor settings to the extent possible, maintaining at least 6 feet distance from those you don’t live with, avoiding get-togethers and gatherings to the extent possible, if you must gather minimize the amount of time you spend with people you don’t live with, getting tested and isolating if you are ill, and complying with additional health protocols required of open businesses. People at risk for severe illness with COVID-19, such as older adults and people with certain medical conditions, as well as those who live with or care for them are strongly discouraged from participating in activities with other people outside their household where taking protective measures of wearing face masks and social distancing may be difficult, especially indoors or in crowded spaces.

Any prior changes in business capacities and other activities required under the amendments must have been implemented by their respective effective dates, and any new changes will take effect by February 23, 2021. If cases rise, the Health Officer may further restrict or suspend other activities currently allowed under Health Officer Order C19-07.

Important Notes: (1) As long as San Francisco is in the purple tier, the mandatory 10 pm closure will continue to apply so activities will be restricted between 10pm and 5am. (2) The Health Officer ordered suspensions or restrictions on capacity limits of the activities as shown in the table below. Suspended or restricted businesses may still engage in Minimum Basic Operations as defined in Health Officer Order C19-07. These suspensions or restrictions amend any related orders, directives, or guidance. All impacted people and entities are required to adhere to these new limits and must otherwise continue to monitor and comply with all applicable Health Orders and Directives.

The following table is available in [Chinese] [Spanish] [Tagalog] [Vietnamese] [Russian]

Business Capacities and Activities Table

Activity and Amended Order or Directive

Indoor or Outdoor

Change as of the effective date
△ = New Update

Retail

Directive 2020-17

Indoor

Restricted

Change as of Thursday, January 28, 2021
1. Retail Stores Capacity Limits up to 25%. △
2. Standalone Groceries stores Capacity Limits up to 50%. △
3. Self-serve bulk foods permitted with restrictions. △
4. Ventilation signage must be posted including new Breakrooms requirement. △

Outdoor
Allowed

Change as of Sunday, November 29, 2020
1. Outdoor encouraged over indoor △

Dining

Order C19-07
Appendix C-1
Directive 2020-16

Indoor

Suspended

Change as of Wednesday, December 16, 2020
1. Ventilation signage must be posted including new Breakrooms requirement. △
2. For take-out, no eating or drinking while waiting for your food. Indoor waiting occupancy limits up to 20%. Restaurant must post required signage.

Outdoor

Restricted

Change as of Thursday, January 28, 2021
1. Per table limit maximum of 6 people from 2 households. △
2. Tables must be spaced at least six feet apart between seated patrons; no barriers in lieu of six feet distance. △
3. Older Adults, those with health risks, and members of their household urged not to participate in outdoor dining. △
4. Designate and Implement a COVID-19 Worksite Safety Monitor.

Gyms / Fitness Centers

Order C19-07
Appendix C-1
Directive 2020-27
Directive 2020-31

Indoor

Restricted

Change as of Thursday, January 28, 2021
1. Ventilation signage must be posted including new Breakrooms requirement. △
2. No Indoor Gyms or Fitness. Suspended until further notice. Only Exception is Indoor One on One personal training. △

Outdoor

Restricted

Change as of Thursday, January 28, 2021
1. Outdoor Gym allowed, No capacity limits, social distancing is required. △
2. Outdoor Fitness classes Capacity Limits up to 25 people. △

Personal Services

Directive 2020-30

Indoor

Restricted

Change as of Thursday, January 28, 2021
1. Personal Services Capacity Limits up to 25%. △
2. Implement Metering System to enforce Capacity Limits. △
3. No Services that involve removal of face covering. △
4. Ventilation signage must be posted including new Breakrooms requirement. △

Outdoor

Allowed

Change as of Thursday, January 28, 2021
1. Outdoor encouraged over indoor. △
2. No Services that involve removal of face covering. △

Movie Theaters

Order C19-07
Appendix C-1
Directive 2020-35

Indoor

Suspended

Change as of Sunday, November 29, 2020
1. Suspended until further notice.

Museums, Aquariums,
and Zoos Directive 2020-32

Indoor
Suspended

Outdoor
Allowed

Change as of Sunday, November 29, 2020
1. Suspended until further notice.

Change as of Thursday, January 28, 2021
1. With approved plan, Outdoor Museums allowed, No Capacity Limit. △
2. With approved plan, Outdoor Zoos allowed, Capacity Limits up to 50%. △

Hotels and Lodging Facilities

Directive 2020-29

Indoor

Restricted

Change as of Thursday, February 23, 2021
1. Lodging facilities may accept reservations for all visitors in accordance with CDPH Travel Advisory. △
2. Lodging facilities must provide a copy of Tips for Staying in Lodging Facilities and self-screening handout to all guests. △
3. It is strongly recommended to quarantine for 10 days for any travel. △
4. Outdoor Pools and Outdoor Dining allowed (See Dining).
5. No Indoor Dining, Indoor Gyms, Indoor Pools, Conference Rooms, Business Centers, Lounge Areas and other Indoor Gathering places. △
6. Ventilation signage must be posted including new Breakrooms requirement. △

Office Facilities

Directive 2020-18

Indoor

Restricted

Change as of Tuesday, November 17, 2020
1. Nonessential offices restricted until further notice.
2. Ventilation signage must be posted including new Breakrooms requirement. △

Religious and Cultural Ceremonies

Directive 2020-34

Indoor

Restricted

Change as of Sunday, December 06, 2020
1. Religious and Cultural Ceremonies Capacity Limits up to 25%. △
2. No singing, chanting, wind or brass instruments. △
3. Older Adults, those with health risks, and members of their household urged not to participate. △
4. Must implement at least one ventilation checklist measure if any activity involves removal of face coverings. △
5. Ventilation signage must be posted including new Breakrooms requirement.

Outdoor

1. See Gatherings (Religious Activities and Political Protests)

Playgrounds and Family Entertainment Centers

Directive 2020-36
Appendix C-1

Outdoor

Restricted

Change as of Thursday, January 28, 2021
1. Outdoor Skate Parks, Outdoor Roller, and Ice Rinks Capacity Limit up to 25%. △
2. Outdoor Playgrounds, Outdoor Batting Cages & Outdoor Mini-Golf allowed. △

Outdoor Recreation, including Tennis, Pickleball, Golf and Swimming Pools

Order No. C19-07
Appendix C-2
Directive 2020-15

Outdoor

Restricted

Change as of Thursday, January 28, 2021
1. Golf Capacity Limits up to 4 people, 1 Golfer per Golf Cart with tee times staggered at least 10 minutes. △
2. Tennis Capacity Limits up to 4 people, doubles w/ 1 household per team. △
3. Pickleball Capacity Limits up to 2 people (singles only) from different households. △
4. Total Capacity Limits: up to 2 swimmers from different households per 300 Sq Ft of Shared Outdoor Swimming Pool Space.

Gatherings (Drive-In)

Order No. C19-07
Appendix C-2

Outdoor

Restricted

Change as of Wednesday, January 20, 2021
1. Drive-In Gatherings of up to 100 Vehicles. △
2. Food and beverage concessions allowed only with online or remote ordering. △
3. No live performances. △

Gatherings (Religious Activities and Political Protests)

Order No. C19-07
Appendix C-2

Outdoor

Restricted

Change as of Thursday, January 28, 2021
1. Religious Activities and Political Protest allowed, No capacity limits, social distancing is required. △

Gatherings (Meal)

Order No. C19-07
Appendix C-2

Outdoor

Restricted

Change as of Thursday, January 28, 2021
1. A maximum of 6 people from 2 households may gather outdoors if eating and drinking are involved. △

Gatherings (Small Outdoor)

Order No. C19-07
Appendix C-2

Outdoor

Restricted

Change as of Thursday, January 28, 2021
1. A maximum of 12 people from 3 different households may gather outdoors. No eating or drinking allowed. △

Information and Guidance Applicable to All Businesses

Required Signage & Printable Resources

You can download flyers and posters about the public health order from the SF.GOV outreach toolkit.

Small businesses can request posters and flyers for free, for pickup or delivery.

What if someone at the workplace tests positive for COVID-19?

For Non-Healthcare Businesses & Community Organizations: What to do if Someone at the Workplace Has COVID-19 (SFDPH, Updated 2/11/2020) Updated Translations Pending [Chinese] [Spanish] [Tagalog] [Arabic]
Letter to Employers (SFDPH, Updated 10/13/2020) [Chinese] [Spanish] [Tagalog] [Vietnamese] [Russian] [Arabic]
COVID-19 General Exposure Advisory (SFDPH, Updated 12/4/20) [Spanish] [Chinese] [Tagalog]

Isolation (for confirmed positive cases) and Quarantine (for close contacts)

Find isolation (for confirmed positive cases) and quarantine (for close contacts) guidance on the sfcdcp.org public information page at www.sfcdcp.org/i&q.

Required Screening for COVID-19

Screening Handout for personnel (“Personnel Screening Attachment A-1”) (SFDPH, Updated 3/2/2021) [Chinese] [Spanish] [Tagalog] [Vietnamese] [Russian] [Arabic]

IMPORTANT REQUIREMENTS FOR BUSINESSES/ORGANIZATIONS WHO ARE OPERATING DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC:

If you modify the form above to only include the questions in a web form or other format, you MUST ensure that the information provided in the form above is provided to Personnel to ensure they stay out of work the appropriate amount of time.
Business must ensure Personnel stay home or leave work if they answer “Yes” to any of the three questions in the screening form. Personnel who must stay home or leave work may be entitled to paid leave. Businesses must comply with their paid leave obligations under applicable law, including but not limited to the San Francisco Employee Protections Ordinance, San Francisco Public Health Emergency Leave, and the Federal Families First Coronavirus Response Act. For more information, go to www.sfgov.org/olse and www.sfcdcp.org/workerfaq
Some businesses and organizations have additional screening requirements or sector-specific screening forms to use. Read sector-specific requirements at www.sfdph.org/directives.

See below for the screening form for Non-Personnel (clients, visitors, etc.)

Screening Handout for non-personnel (“Personnel Screening Attachment A-2”) (SFDPH, Updated 3/2/2021) [Chinese] [Spanish] [Tagalog] [Vietnamese] [Russian]
Screening Handout for Guest at Lodging Facilities (SFDPH, 3/2/21) [Chinese] [Spanish] [Tagalog] [Vietnamese] [Russian]

Other Screening Guidance:

COVID-19 Symptom List for Screening and Testing (SFDPH, Updated 2/26/21) [Chinese] [Spanish] [Tagalog]
Interim Guidance: Asking COVID-19 Screening Questions at Any Businesses, Organization, Or Facility (SFDPH, Updated 5/26/2020)
Interim Guidance: Measuring Temperatures when Screening for COVID-19 Symptoms (SFDPH, Updated 5/26/2020) [Chinese] [Spanish] [Tagalog]

Facility and/or Business Cleaning Recommendations

Cleaning and Disinfecting Your Facility (CDC, 4/14/2020)
Cleaning & Disinfection for Community Facilities (CDC, 4/1/2020)

Household Cleaning Recommendations

Cleaning and Disinfecting Your Home (CDC, 4/2/2020)
Cleaning and Disinfection for Households with Suspected or Confirmed COVID-19 (CDC, 3/26/2020)
Using Shared Laundry Facilities During the COVID-19 Pandemic (SFDPH, 6/18/2020) [Chinese] [Spanish]

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

For PPE recommendations for healthcare workers, see www.sfcdcp.org/hcpPPE

FAQ – Should I “double-mask” (i.e., wear one mask on top of another)? (SFDPH, 1/28/21)
Tip Sheet: Safety Information Regarding Voluntary Use of N95 Respirators (SFDPH, 11/10/2020) [Spanish] [Chinese] [Tagalog] [Vietnamese] [Russian]
Respirator Medical Evaluations and N95 Fit Testing Resources (Updated 1/21/2021)

Should I “double-mask” (i.e., wear one mask on top of another)?

Double masking is not always better than single masking especially if you have a very high quality, effective single mask or N95 respirator. Double masking might be more protective than single masking, especially when the top mask helps the bottom mask fit more snugly around your face without gaps. Using two masks made from different materials might also provide improved protection because one mask may capture particles the other doesn’t and vice versa. However, a double mask could become uncomfortable and cause the wearer to remove the masks more frequently, which would be far worse than consistently wearing one mask. The best mask is a mask you will wear consistently. Read more at www.sfcdcp.org/doublemask.

Should the general public wear an N95 respirator?

Properly fitted N95 respirators (sometimes called N95 masks or N95s) offer additional protection from the COVID-19 virus which can get past other types of face coverings. Some occupations have regulations that require the use of N95 respirators given the risks involved in the work (e.g., healthcare workers). Even if your occupation doesn’t require or have a standard to use N95 respirators, you may want to consider using an N95 respirator for extra protection especially if:

You are at higher risk of severe illness if you get COVID-19 (see Who is at higher risk?)
You must be in higher-risk situations like being indoors around people who are unmasked (such as in restaurants or public/shared transit) – see What can I do to protect myself if I am at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19 or at higher risk of getting exposed to COVID-19?

Please be aware that to work effectively to prevent COVID-19, NIOSH-certified N95 masks should be tightly fitted around your face. An N95 mask is not for everyone, is not designed for children, and will increase the work of breathing, which may make it difficult to wear for long periods of time. If you feel worse wearing an N95 mask, do not wear one. For more information on how to properly and safely wear N95 respirators, see Tip Sheet: Safety Information Regarding Voluntary Use of N95 Respirators

Should the general public wear eye protection (e.g., face shield, goggles) to protect themselves from COVID-19?

There is currently no recommendation that the general public wears eye protection for most day to day activities. However, your eyes can theoretically be a route of infection for COVID-19, possibly through close contact to an infected person who is not wearing a mask, when they cough, sneeze, or laugh. You can also be exposed by touching your eyes with your hands if they have been contaminated with COVID-19. A face shield or goggles (but not regular glasses) could provide protection against these types of exposures. Therefore, individuals, particularly those at high risk of exposure or serious disease from COVID, may decide to wear eye protection in addition to masking, as an extra layer of protection against acquiring COVID-19 infection.

Please note that the documents below are intended for City-operated facilities.