Stay-at-home order extended in SF
San Francisco health officials extended the county’s stay-at-home order indefinitely Thursday in light of rising coronavirus cases, keeping outdoor dining and a host of other businesses closed.
People traveling to the county from outside the Bay Area are required to quarantine for 10 days upon arrival, while indoor gyms and personal care services — plus outdoor dining, museums and entertainment centers like roller skating rinks — must remain shut until the order is lifted.
The decision came as California sees its worst coronavirus surge yet since the pandemic began and a day after health officials identified a more contagious strain of COVID-19 in Southern California. With intensive- care unit capacity unlikely to significantly shift in the coming weeks — and in anticipation of even more cases from holiday gatherings — extending the order is the safest path forward, said Mayor London Breed and Health Officer Grant Colfax Thursday.
“We have been proactive in putting the stay at home order and travel quarantine in place to protect San Franciscans and in the hopes that by acting quickly, we could flatten the curve and re- open faster,” Breed said in a statement. “This seems to be working but we need more time to determine that we are moving in the right direction and that the December holidays don’t set us back. There are glimmers of hope and now is not the time to let up.”
The most recent order was issued countywide Dec. 3rd and reinforced regionally by the state two weeks later when hospital capacity in the Bay Area dropped below 15%. Although the state could move to lift the order on Jan. 7th, inf
Retail businesses like shopping centers, hardware stores and convenience stores may operate at 20% capacity, while standalone grocery stores can operate at 35% capacity. Low- contact retail — like electronics repair and shoe repair stores — may operate only in the context of curbside drop- off.
Small outdoor gatherings are allowed, but only with one household and a maximum of 12 people, or two individuals from two separate households. Nonessential travel is highly discouraged.