County gets approval for indoor dining, gyms, hair salons, movies

San Mateo County has received the state’s approval to resume business for indoor dining, gyms, movie theaters and hair salons.

With the approval, San Mateo joins Napa, Sonoma, Solano, and Santa Cruz and as the only counties in the greater Bay Area to be open for indoor dining. Restaurants in Contra Costa County can start indoor dining on July 1. Santa Clara County,

San Francisco County and Alameda County have yet to announce dates for indoor dining. Alameda is only just now ready to allow outdoor dining; that starts Friday.

In May, Gov. Gavin Newsom outlined a process by which counties could reopen more quickly than other parts of the state if they met specific criteria. On Friday, San Mateo County applied for that approval, which was granted Tuesday.

In terms of coronavirus cases, San Mateo County ranks fourth among the 10

Bay Area counties, and is more than Napa, Sonoma and Solano combined.

After a spike of 82 new daily coronavirus-related cases in late April, total cases in the county have stabilized since the beginning of June, as the county is down to a seven-day average of 28 new cases per day.

“For our restaurants and other small businesses crippled by the economic impacts of this pandemic, this is the best news imaginable,” county Supervisor David J. Canepa in a statement. “It will be a balancing act between preserving public health and kick-starting our local economy. There are risks with every step we take and it will take all of us to take personal responsibility to stop the spread of the virus.”

These business operations must adhere to state health guidelines to reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19. That includes maintaining a sixfoot distance between patrons and workers wearing face coverings.

Despite a plan to advance in reopening, San Mateo County will still adhere to social distancing guidelines and make wearing face masks and avoiding large crowds required.