Information and Guidance Applicable to All Businesses
- Letter to Employers (SFDPH, 3/15/2022) [Chinese] [Spanish] [Russian] [Arabic] [Vietnamese] [Filipino]
- What to do if someone at work has COVID-19 (SFDPH, Updated 1/13/2022) [Chinese] [Spanish] [Tagalog] [Arabic]
SFDPH no longer requires that organizations perform on-site pre-entry health checks. This includes: screening for symptoms of COVID-19, asking about close contact with others who have COVID-19, measuring temperatures, or verifying completion of remote self-screening. Instead, SFDPH recommends that all individuals monitor themselves for COVID-19 symptoms or exposures, and that employers ask employees to evaluate their own symptoms before reporting to work. If they have symptoms, individuals should isolate, except to get tested, or seek medical care when necessary.
Organizations may choose to continue on-site health checks or verify remote self-screening and, in some cases, state and other regulatory agencies may require it. If an organization conducts on-site health checks, it should be done safely, respectfully, and in accordance with applicable privacy and confidentiality laws.
Scientific Rationale: On-site, pre-entry health checks have limited benefit in preventing the spread of COVID-19, particularly as infections decrease and more people get vaccinated. Health checks do not identify people who are infected but without symptoms or people with mild symptoms who might not realize they are infected. As such, they are not a replacement for other protective measures, such as getting vaccinated, using masks, physical distancing, and hand hygiene. (Updated 8/4/21)
- For Ventilation Guidance, see CDPH Interim Guidance for Ventilation, Filtration, and Air Quality in Indoor Environments
FAQs: General Ventilation (SFDPH,Retired 10/8/21)Ventilation for Non-Healthcare Organizations During the COVID-19 Pandemic (SFDPH,Retired 10/8/21)FAQs: Room Air Exchange Rates (“Air Changes per Hour (ACH)”) (SFDPH, Retired 10/8/21)Interim Guidance: Ventilation During the COVID-19 Pandemic (SFDPH, Retired 10/8/21)FAQs: Portable Air Cleaners (SFDPH, Retired 10/8/21)
- Outdoor Structures to Prevent Spread of COVID-19 (SFDPH, Updated 6/21/21)
Facility and/or Business Cleaning Recommendations:
Household Cleaning Recommendations:
Find Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) guidance on the sfcdcp.org public information page at www.sfcdcp.org/ppe.
For PPE recommendations for healthcare workers, see www.sfcdcp.org/hcpPPE
You can download flyers and posters about the public health order from the SF.GOV outreach toolkit.
Industry/Sector Specific Guidance
Interim Guidance: Dining During the COVID‐19 Pandemic – Indoor and Outdoor (SFDPH, Retired 6/1/21)
Core Guidance
CDC Guidance
SF Health Officer Order
Other Guidance
- Interim Guidance: Prevention and Management of COVID-19 in Long-Term Care Facilities (SFDPH, Updated 3/3/2022)
- Guidance for Adult Elder and Residential Care Facilities Licensed by CA Department of Social Services (CDSS 3/5/2020)
- Guidance for Limiting the Transmission of COVID-19 in Long-Term Care Facilities (CDPH)
Quick Links:
- See Cleaning Recommendation and Ventilation Requirements
- See Required Signage
- See Screening Requirements
- See Health Directive and Required Health and Safety Templates
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About In-person Visits, Communal Dining and Resident Activities (SFDPH,Retired 6/18/21)
Interim Guidance: Gyms and Fitness Centers (Indoor and Outdoor) During the COVID-19 Pandemic (SFDPH,Retired 6/15/21)
Core Guidance
CDC Guidance:
- https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/organizations/gym-employers.html
- https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/organizations/gym-employees.html
SF Health Officer Order
Tips for Staying in Lodging Facilities During COVID-19 (SFDPH,Retired 6/15/2021)
Core Guidance
CDC Guidance:
SF Health Officer Order
Interim Guidance: Outdoor Arts and Music Festivals and Performances (SFDPH, Retired 6/15/21)Interim Guidance: Indoor Movie Theaters (SFDPH,Retired 6/15/21)
Core Guidance
CDC Guidance:
- https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/large-events/considerations-for-events-gatherings.html
- https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/prevention.html
SF Health Officer Order
Considerations for Owners and Operators of Multifamily Housing during the COVID-19 Pandemic (CDC)
FAQs for Occupied Apartments and Residences with Sublet Rooms (SFDPH, Retired 1/31/2022)
Tips and Frequently Asked Questions for Opening Office Facilities During COVID-19 (SFDPH,Retired 6/1/21)
Core Guidance
CDC Guidance:
- https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/returning-to-work.html
- https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/workplaces-businesses/
SF Health Officer Order
Quick Links
- Interim Guidance for Homeless Service Providers to Plan and Respond to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (CDC)
- Safe Sleep Program Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) (HSH)
- See PPE Recommendations
- See Cleaning Recommendations
Interim Guidance for Safe Sleeping for Unsheltered Persons Experiencing Homelessness to Reduce the Risk of COVID-19 (SFDPH, Retired)Interim Guidance for Safe Sleeping Villages to Reduce the Risk of COVID-19 (SFDPH,Retired 8/16/21)Interim Guidance: Guidance for People Experiencing Homelessness in Shelters and Navigation Centers to Reduce the Risk of COVID-19(SFDPH,Retired 7/20/21)
Tip Sheet for Operating Indoors and Outdoor: Personal Services (SFDPH,Retired 6/1/2021)
Core Guidance
CDC Guidance
- https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/personal-social-activities.html#nails
- https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/organizations/nail-salon-employers.html
- https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/organizations/beauty-salon-barber-employees.html
SF Health Officer Order
SF Health Officer Directive
https://www.sfdph.org/dph/alerts/files/Directive-2020-23-Personal-Services-Outdoors.pdfRescinded 6/11/21https://www.sfdph.org/dph/alerts/files/Directive-2020-30-Indoor-Personal-Services.pdfRescinded 6/11/21
Quick links:
Tips for Retail Businesses Offering Curbside or In-Store Shopping or Services During COVID-19 (SFDPH, Retired 6/1/21)
Core Guidance
CDC Guidance
- https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/returning-to-work.html
- https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/workplaces-businesses/
SF Health Officer Directive
https://www.sfdph.org/dph/alerts/files/Directive-2020-17-Instore-Retail.pdfRescinded 6/11/21
SF Health Officer Order