Updates to Health Officer Orders and Directives
Notice of Suspension or Restrictions of Indoor Activity
November 29, 2020
San Francisco continues to experience a rapid and significant surge in COVID-19 cases. This rise in cases means that San Francisco’s health metrics meet the criteria to be moved from the “red” tier to the “purple” tier of the State’s color-coded risk framework, meaning there is widespread transmission of the virus. San Francisco must take action to stop the increase in cases, and avoid the imposition of further restrictions. Accordingly, the Health Officer is suspending or restricting certain indoor businesses and activities. Businesses must implement the rollbacks in business capacities and other activities required under the amendments to the Order by November 29, 2020. If the surge in cases continues, the Health Officer may further restrict or suspend other activities currently allowed under Health Officer Order C19-07.
Also, in accordance with the State’s recent limited stay at home order restricting certain business operations and gatherings of individuals between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. for counties that are assigned to the purple tier, the Health Officer is imposing those restrictions on businesses and individuals beginning at 10 p.m. on November 30, 2020.
Important Note: 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.
| Directive or Order |
Change |
| Retail | RESTRICTED
No indoor or outdoor retail from 10 pm – 5 am PST, effective Monday Nov 30, 2020 (note that essential retail may operate during these hours) |
| Office Facilities | RESTRICTED as of Nov 17, 2020
Nonessential offices are restricted until further notice |
| Personal Services | RESTRICTED as of Monday Nov. 30, 2020
No indoor or outdoor personal services between 10 pm and 5 am PST. Applies to: Hair Salons, Barber Shops, Nail Salons, Massage, Estheticians, Skin Care, Cosmetology, Electrology, Tatooing and Body Art, Piercing, Microblading |
| Gyms and Fitness Centers Directive 2020-27 Directive 2020-31 |
Indoor Gyms SUSPENDED as of Sunday Nov. 29, 2020
No indoor gyms/fitness centers allowed. Suspended until further notice. Indoor One-on-One Personal Training RESTRICTED Not allowed from 10 pm and 5 am PST, effective Monday Nov 30, 2020. Outdoor Gyms RESTRICTED Not allowed from 10 pm and 5 am PST, effective Monday Nov 30, 2020. |
| Dining | Indoor Dining SUSPENDED as of Nov 14, 2020
No Indoor Dining allowed. Suspended until further notice. Outdoor Dining RESTRICTED No Outoor Dining from 10 pm – 5 am PST, effective Monday Nov. 30, 2020 As of Sunday Nov 29, outdoor dining structures must comply with requirements from CDPH and any additional requirements from SFDPH. Applies to: Restaurants, Bars with food, Shopping malls with food, Hotels with restaurants, Museums, Zoos and Aquariums with restaurants, Gyms with food, Office Cafeterias. |
| Indoor Movie Theaters | SUSPENDED as of Sunday Nov. 29, 2020
No indoor movie theaters allowed. Suspended until further notice. |
| Museums, Aquariums and Zoos | SUSPENDED as of Sunday Nov. 29, 2020
No indoor museums, aquariums or zoos allowed. Suspended until further notice. |
| Religious and Cultural Ceremonies, Places of Worship | SUSPENDED as of Sunday Nov. 29, 2020
No indoor religious or cultural ceremonies allowed. Suspended until further notice. Indoor Individual Prayer RESTRICTED Not allowed from 10 pm and 5 am PST (effective Monday Nov 30, 2020) Outdoor Religious Gatherings RESTRICTED Not allowed from 10 pm and 5 am PST (effective Monday Nov 30, 2020). Total capacity limits up to 200 people as shown in “Gatherings” category below. (effective Sunday November 29) |
| Gatherings | ALL Outdoor Gatherings and Recreation are RESTRICTED No outdoor gatherings or recreation are allowed from 10 pm and 5 am PST, effective Monday Nov 30, 2020. (Outdoor recreation is allowed during those hours if alone or with members of the same household.)As of Sunday Nov. 29, 2020: The following capacity limits apply to specific outdoor gathering or recreation types: Outdoor Religious and Political Gatherings restricted to up to 200 people. Outdoor Drive-in Gatherings restricted to up to 100 vehicles. Outdoor Meal Gatherings restricted to up to 6 people. Small Outdoor Meal Gatherings restricted up to 3 households with max 25 people Outdoor Tennis & Pickleballrestricted to 4 players from up to 2 households. Outdoor Golf restricted to 4 players. Outdoor Swimming restricted to |
| Playgrounds and Family Entertainment Centers | RESTRICTED
Not allowed from 10 pm and 5 am PST, effective Monday Nov. 30, 2020. Total capacity limit for outdoor roller and ice rinks is 25%, up to 25 people, effective Sunday Nov 29, 2020. |
Information and Guidance Applicable to All Businesses
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.
- Letter to Employers (SFDPH, Updated 10/13/2020) Translations Pending. See Previous: 10/9/20 [Chinese] [Spanish] [Tagalog] [Vietnamese] [Russian] [Arabic]
- For Non-Healthcare Businesses & Community Organizations: What to do if Someone at the Workplace Has COVID-19 (SFDPH, Updated 8/17/2020) [Chinese] [Spanish] [Tagalog] [Arabic]
- COVID-19 General Exposure Advisory (SFDPH, Updated 9/20/2020) [Spanish] [Chinese] [Tagalog]
- Informational Booklet: After your COVID-19 test: What to do while you wait for your test results to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and save lives (11/16/20) [Spanish] [Chinese] [Tagalog]
- Guidelines for Home Isolation and Quarantine (SFDPH, 11/6/20) [Chinese] [Spanish] [Tagalog] [Russian] [Arabic] [Korean]
- Frequently Asked Questions and Resources for Workers Who Must Isolate or Quarantine Due to COVID-19 (SFDPH, Updated 11/19/20) Translations Pending [Chinese] [Spanish] [Tagalog] [Vietnamese] [Russian]
- Free Services for Eligible People to Assist with Isolation and Quarantine During COVID-19 (SFDPH, 8/14/20) [Chinese] [Spanish] [Tagalog]
Ending Isolation and Quarantine
- Interim Guidance: COVID-19 Symptoms (SFDPH, Updated 9/24/20) [Chinese] [Spanish] [Tagalog]
- Screening Handout for non-personnel (“Personnel Screening Attachment A-2”) (SFDPH, Updated 11/2/2020) [Chinese] [Spanish] [Tagalog] [Vietnamese] [Russian]
- Screening Handout for personnel (“Personnel Screening Attachment A-1”) (SFDPH, Updated 11/13/2020) [Chinese] [Spanish] [Tagalog] [Vietnamese] [Russian] [Arabic]
- Screening Handout for Guest at Lodging Facilities (SFDPH, 11/3/20) Translations Pending. See Previous from 9/16/20 [Chinese] [Spanish] [Tagalog] [Vietnamese] [Russian]
- 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]
- Indoor Risk During the COVID-19 Pandemic (SFDPH, Updated 10/23/2020) Translations pending. See previous from 10/6/20. [Spanish] [Chinese] [Tagalog]
- 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? (SFDPH, 10/15/2020)
- Ventilation for Non-Healthcare Organizations During COVID-19 Pandemic (SFDPH, Updated 10/20/20) [Chinese] [Spanish] [Tagalog]
- FAQs: Portable Air Cleaners (SFDPH, 11/13/20) [Spanish] [Vietnamese] [Chinese] [Russian] [Tagalog]
- FAQs: General Ventilation (SFDPH, 11/13/20) [Chinese] [Spanish] [Tagalog] [Vietnamese] [Russian]
- Safer Ways to Use New Outdoor Shared Spaces for Commercial Activities During COVID-19 (SFDPH, 10/13/2020) [Chinese] [Spanish] [Tagalog]
- COVID-19: Cleaning and Disinfectant Safety & Approved Disinfectants (SFDPH, Updated 4/18/2020) [Spanish]
- Cleaning and Disinfection for Non-emergency Transport Vehicles (CDC, 4/14/2020)
Facility and/or Business Cleaning Recommendations
- Interim Guidance: Cleaning and Disinfection for Non-Healthcare Businesses and Workplaces (SFDPH, 4/10/2020) [Chinese] [Spanish] [Tagalog]
- 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, 5/6/2020) [Chinese] [Spanish]
For PPE recommendations for healthcare workers, see www.sfcdcp.org/hcpPPE
- Tip Sheet: Safety Information Regarding Voluntary Use of N95 Respirators (SFDPH, 11/10/2020)
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.
- Interim Framework for PPE Use by City and County of San Francisco (CCSF) Environmental Services (EVS) Employees, and EVS Contractors (Custodians), Working in Facility Cleaning Areas Where Suspected or Confirmed COVID-19 Patients and Clients Are Currently Treated, Housed, or Temporarily Relocated Given Current PPE Shortages (SFDPH, 6/16/2020) [Chinese] [Spanish] [Tagalog]
- Interim Framework for PPE Use by City and County of San Francisco (CCSF) Inspectors and Contractors Conducting Field Site Visits Given Current PPE Shortages (SFDPH, 6/10/2020)
- Interim Framework During the COVID-19 Pandemic for PPE Use by City and County of San Francisco (CCSF) Disaster Service Workers and Contractors Working in Settings with Significant Commingling of Individuals with Varying COVID-19 Status (SFDPH, 5/23/2020)
- Respirator Medical Evaluations and N95 Fit Testing Resources (7/14/2020)
Industry/Sector Specific Guidance
- COVID-2019: Instructions for Drivers and Passengers in Non-Ambulance Transport Vehicles (SFDPH, 4/17/2020) [Chinese] [Spanish]
- Cleaning and Disinfection for Non-emergency Transport Vehicles (CDC, 4/14/2020)
- Interim Guidance: Dining During the COVID‐19 Pandemic – Indoor and Outdoor (SFDPH, Updated 11/29/2020) [Spanish] [Chinese] [Tagalog] [Russian] [Vietnamese]
- Interim Guidance for Food Delivery Workers During the COVID-19 Pandemic (SFDPH, Updated 5/28/2020)
- COVID-19 Recommendations for Food Facilities (SFDPH, 3/13/2020) [Chinese] [Spanish] [Tagalog] [Vietnamese] [Russian]
- Food Safety and the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (USFDA)
Quick Links
- FAQs regarding new directive requiring all decedents be tested for COVID ( SFDPH, 6/27/2020) [中文 | Pilipino | Español | Русский | Tiếng Việt ]
- Guidance About In-person Visits, Communal Dining and Resident Activities (SFDPH, Updated 9/6/2020) [Chinese] [Spanish] [Tagalog] [Russian]
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for Residential Care Facilities for Adults and Seniors (Updated SFDPH, 9/6/2020) [Chinese] [Spanish] [Tagalog] [Russian]
- Guidance for Adult Elder and Residential Care Facilities Licensed by CA Department of Social Services (CDSS 3/5/2020)
Quick Links
- Interim Guidance: Indoor Gyms and Fitness Centers During the COVID-19 Pandemic (SFDPH, Updated 11/29/2020) [Chinese] [Spanish] [Tagalog]
- Tip Sheet and Frequently Asked Questions for Businesses Offering Outdoor Gym Services (SFDPH, 9/9/20)
Quick Links
- Interim Guidance: Indoor Household Services – Housecleaning, Cooking and Non-essential Maintenance (SFDPH, 6/19/2020) [Chinese] [Spanish] [Tagalog] [Russian]
- Stay safer doing house cleaning and cooking services (SFDPH, 7/30/2020) [Chinese] [Spanish] [Tagalog]
Quick Links
- Tips for Staying in Lodging Facilities During COVID-19 (SFDPH, Updated 11/29/2020) [Chinese] [Spanish] [Tagalog] [Russian] [Vietnamese]
Quick Links
- Interim Guidance: Indoor Movie Theaters (SFDPH, Updated 11/29/2020) [Chinese] [Spanish] [Tagalog]
Quick Links
- COVID-19 Guidance for Multifamily Residential Buildings (SFDPH, 5/16/2020) [Chinese] [Spanish] [Tagalog]
- See Cleaning Recommendation
- Tips and Frequently Asked Questions for Opening Office Facilities During COVID-19 (SFDPH, 11/29/2020) [Chinese] [Spanish] [Tagalog]
Quick Links
- Interim Guidance for Safe Sleeping for Unsheltered Persons Experiencing Homelessness to Reduce the Risk of COVID-19 (SFDPH, 5/19/2020)
- Interim Guidance for Safe Sleeping Villages to Reduce the Risk of COVID-19 (SFDPH, 5/19/2020)
- Interim Guidance: Preventing and Managing COVID-19 Transmission in Shelters and Navigation Centers (SFDPH, Updated 5/23/2020)
- See PPE Recommendations
- See Cleaning Recommendations
- Tip Sheet for Operating Indoors: Personal Services (SFDPH, Updated 11/29/2020) [Vietnamese] [Spanish] [Russian] [Chinese] [Tagalog]
- Guidance for Outdoor Personal Services during COVID-19 (SFDPH, 11/29/2020) [Chinese] [Spanish] [Russian] [Vietnamese] [Tagalog]
Quick Links
Tips and Frequently Asked Questions for Retail Businesses Offering In-Store Shopping or Services During COVID-19 (SFDPH, Updated 11/19/2020) Translations pending. See previous from 9/1/20: [Chinese] [Spanish] [Tagalog]
- Curbside Retail Guidance Training (SFDPH, Updated 7/23/2020) [Chinese] [Spanish] [Tagalog]
- Guidance: Curbside Retail (SFDPH, 7/18/2020) [Spanish] [Chinese] [Tagalog]
Quick Links