San Francisco is advancing from California’s purple reopening stage to red this week, and as cases continue to decline across the Bay Area, many in the city may already be looking to the next step: orange.

Animal assignments are determined by the state based on the county’s daily coronavirus cases per 100,000 inhabitants, adjusted for the number of tests performed and the positive test rate. To switch to a less restrictive level, a county must have been in the current level for at least three weeks and must meet the criteria for the next lower level for two consecutive weeks.

To switch from purple to red, a county must have an adjusted fall rate of 7 or less and a positive test rate of 5-8%. To switch from red to orange, a county must report an adjusted case rate between 1 and 3.9 and a positive test rate between 2% and 4.9%.

Based on the latest state referral data, the unadjusted case rate in San Francisco is 6.6, the adjusted case rate is 3.5, and the positive testing rate is 1.5%. The data used by the state to determine the grade assignments are delayed by two weeks.

County-level assignments in the California Blueprint for a Safer Economy Coronavirus reopening website starting March 2, 2021.

According to the county’s latest dashboard data, the unadjusted case rate for San Francisco on Feb.22 was 7.7 and the positive test rate was 1.46% on Feb.22. February. The district does not list the last adjusted case rate.

Last week, Marin and San Mateo counties were the first Bay Area counties to rise to the red tier after the state ended its regional bans in January, despite Marin reporting an adjusted case rate of 7.4%. This is due to a third metric, the Health Equal Opportunity Rating, which reflects the positive testing rate for disadvantaged populations in a community and is only considered for larger counties moving to a less restrictive tier. That metric held back San Francisco last week but is expected to hit the threshold this week.

San Francisco generally had some of the lowest case and positive test rates in the Bay Area throughout the pandemic, and it also performed well for a large city overall compared to other urban areas across the country. City officials have been very cautious about the reopening and have declined to allow some companies to reopen even though they are at less restrictive levels.

For its move this week, San Francisco is largely following state reopening guidelines, with a few additional restrictions. The restaurant will reopen with restrictions when the red tier changes go into effect on Wednesday at 8 a.m.

At the end of last summer, California introduced the new color-coded, four-tier system, and San Francisco was first classified in the red tier on September 1. The red tier allows businesses such as restaurants, cinemas, museums, zoos and aquariums to reopen indoors at 25% capacity, retail and indoor shopping centers at 50% capacity, and gyms reopened at 10% capacity.

But San Francisco kept indoor salons and personal care services closed until September 14, and museums and aquariums could not reopen until September 21, and gyms remained closed.

Indoor dining was not allowed until San Francisco moved to the orange level on September 30th, only at 25% occupancy, along with indoor malls at 50% occupancy and indoor gyms at 10% occupancy. Cinemas were allowed to reopen on October 7th with limited indoor capacity.

On October 20, San Francisco became the first and only major urban area in California to move to the least restrictive yellow tier. At this level, most businesses, including indoor restaurants, cinemas, gyms, bars and breweries, family entertainment centers, and places of worship, can open at 50% capacity.

On the yellow level, San Francisco allowed non-essential offices and some indoor personal care services to reopen, requiring mask removal, but indoor food stayed at 25% and indoor bars and breweries remained closed. The reopening was withdrawn less than a month later on Nov. 13, and indoor dining ceased immediately when the winter surge began.

Kellie Hwang is a contributor to the San Francisco Chronicle. Email: kellie.hwang@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @KellieHwang

The post San Francisco is shifting to the pink tier. Here is what it’s going to take to get to orange appeared first on DAILY SAN FRANCISCO BAY NEWS.

FAIRFIELD (CBS SF) – With the countdown to the lifting of all COVID-19 restrictions on Jan.

The announcement put an end to months of waiting for Solano County’s residents as they watched all of the other Bay Area counties move into orange, then many into the least restrictive Yellow Tier.

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Alameda, Napa, Sonoma, and Contra Costa counties are currently in the Orange tier. The counties of San Francisco, Marin, San Mateo, Santa Clara, and Santa Cruz have long been some of the least restrictive yellow tiers.

Only four counties across the state – Del Norte, Shasta, Yuba, and Stanislaus – remain in the red.

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Over the past two weeks, Solano County has seen the fall rate steadily drop to below 6 per 100,000 to qualify for the Orang tier. Hospital stays related to COVID-19 remain low, and 225,477 residents of the county have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.

“We are seeing a significant decrease in the spread of COVID-19 in our community, which will allow us to move to the next level and expand capacity for our businesses,” said Dr. Bela T. Matyas, Solano County Health Officer. “As we near the end of the pandemic, we continue to encourage our community members to get vaccinated to protect themselves from serious illness and death.”

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The Orange tier will allow the county to make the following changes to its health regulations.

• Restaurants, including wineries, breweries, and distilleries that serve meals, can operate indoors with a capacity of 50 percent or a maximum of 200 people, whichever is less.
• Breweries, wineries, and distilleries that don’t serve meals can be opened indoors with changes, including 25 percent indoor capacity or 100 people, whichever is less.
• Retail establishments can operate indoors with modifications
• Cinemas and places of worship can be operated indoors with 50 percent capacity or a maximum of 200 people, whichever is less.
• Gyms and fitness clubs, including yoga studios, can operate indoors at a capacity of 25 percent
• Graduation and graduation ceremonies can be held outdoors at 33 percent occupancy with assigned seating and other changes

The post Solano County Lastly Strikes Into The Orange Tier – CBS San Francisco appeared first on DAILY SAN FRANCISCO BAY NEWS.

MARIN COUNTY (CBS SF) – Health officials confirmed Tuesday that Marin County moved from the orange tier to the yellow tier due to the improvement in COVID-19 numbers.

The move marks another reopening of the economy and another step towards normalcy before the pandemic, Marin County officials said. State health officials are still planning to lift all COVID-19 restrictions nationwide on June 15.

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The Marin County’s Department of Health received a notice from the state on June 1 that the California Department of Health (CDPH) was moving the county from the “moderate risk” orange tier to the more open “minimal risk” yellow tier to steadily declining case numbers.

Marin has been since 24.

Alameda, Napa, Sonoma, and Contra Costa counties are currently in the Orange tier. The counties of San Francisco, Marin, San Mateo, Santa Clara, and Santa Cruz have long been some of the least restrictive yellow tiers. Tuesday also marked Solano County’s final move from the red to the orange plains.

The main reason the county’s success was due to the high rate of the COVID-19 vaccine among local residents, which has risen to the highest in the state, according to Marin health officials. The county has seen a steady decline in COVID-19 cases, hospital admissions, and deaths as vaccination rates have risen.

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Marin County has an average of three to four new COVID-19 cases per day, or 1.3 cases per 100,000 population. That number had to be below 2.0 cases per 100,000 for two consecutive weeks to get into the yellow tier.

“Our community has earned the freedom to open up more securely,” said Dr. Matt Willis, Marin County Health Officer. “We have our local residents to thank for following the science and best evidence at every stage of this pandemic, including our decision to get vaccinated. Our data clearly shows that vaccines work. Almost all current cases and outbreaks are in unvaccinated people.

Changes allowed under state order if Marin moves to Yellow Tier include gyms and gyms that are 50% capacity (or 75% if all guests have full vaccination coverage or negative COVID-19) Test) indoors, and restaurants that are allowed to open 50% or 75% indoors if guests provide proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test and
Bars that do not serve food can open indoors with 25% or 100 people, whichever is less, or 37.5% if guests provide proof of vaccination or a negative test.

In addition, places of worship can be open at 50% capacity, while cinemas, family entertainment centers, indoor playgrounds, bowling alleys and card rooms can be open at 50% capacity or up to 75% capacity if guests have a vaccination certificate or a negative one Submit result COVID-19 test.

For a full list of corporate sector policy changes, visit Marin Recovers’ website and the State’s Blueprint for a Safer Economy website.

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People looking for a COVID-19 vaccine can use the vaccine finder online at GetVaccinatedMarin.org to find a point of contact or to make an appointment for the vaccination. Alternatively, people can call the California COVID-19 hotline at 1-833-422-4255 for help making a vaccination appointment. Language support is available.

The post Marin County Strikes Into Yellow Tier – CBS San Francisco appeared first on DAILY SAN FRANCISCO BAY NEWS.

In the “yellow level”, fitness studios can be used to 50% capacity – inside and outside. Photo via Pexels.com

San Diego County will move into California’s least restrictive “yellow tier” Wednesday morning after two consecutive weeks with an adjusted new daily COVID-19 case rate of less than two cases per 100,000 residents, district officials said Tuesday.

The county will move to the yellow tier just six days before the phasing out of the phased reopening plan on June 15, joining other urban counties such as Los Angeles, San Francisco and Orange.

On Tuesday, the county’s adjusted case rate was 1.2 cases per 100,000 residents, after having dropped to 1.7 cases last week.

“You did it, San Diegans. You followed public health guidelines and got vaccinated when the vaccine was available to you, ”said Dr. Wilma Wooten, district health officer. “These measures have led to a significant decrease in COVID-19 cases in the region.”

“Now we need San Diegans to get further vaccinated so that we can get closer to herd immunity, and that includes second doses for those who have received the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine,” she added.

At the yellow level, outdoor music events can be increased to 67%, restaurants and gyms can be used to 50% capacity – indoors and outdoors – indoor bars can contain 25% or 100 people, whichever is less, and gatherings in the 200 people can go outdoors.

For a full list of the limits lifted for that one week after moving down to the yellow tier, please visit the state’s COVID-19 website.

If California fully reopens the economy on June 15, the state will go beyond the blueprint for a safer economy – the system of stages the state has been using since last year. No capacity restrictions or social distancing are enforced, and only “mega-events” – events with more than 5,000 people indoors or 10,000 outdoors – require or recommend vaccine verification.

City News Service contributed to this article.

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The post San Diego County Transferring into Least-Restrictive COVID-19 ‘Yellow Tier’ appeared first on DAILY SAN FRANCISCO BAY NEWS.

SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) — San Francisco has officially become the first Bay Area county to enter the yellow tier in California’s reopening plan this year.

It’s the least restrictive tier, and comes with several loosened rules that San Francisco hasn’t experienced since November — just before the hard-hitting winter COVID-19 surge that caused a stay at home order across the state.

California officials made the announcement on Tuesday, and businesses can start allowing more capacity as soon as Wednesday morning.

The rest of the Bay Area remains one phase behind, in the orange tier. Solano County is the only one still in the red tier.

Here are San Francisco’s new face mask rules

By June 15, Gov. Newsom has set an expectation for the whole state to fully reopen, nullifying the tier system.

See the full list of everything allowed (and still restricted) in California’s yellow tier:

Amusement parks

Can open with modifications
– Max capacity 35%
– Indoor spaces max 25% capacity
– In-state visitors only

See guidance for Amusement parks and theme parks

Appliance repair shops

Can open with modifications

See guidance for Limited services

Aquariums

Can open indoors with modifications

See guidance for Museums, zoos, and aquariums

Auto repair shops

Can open with modifications

See guidance for Limited services

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Banks and credit unions

Can open with modifications

Bars (where no meals provided)

Can open indoors with modifications
– Max 25% capacity or 100 people, whichever is fewer
– Capacity may increase to 37.5% if all guests show proof of negative test or full vaccination

See guidance for Restaurants, wineries, and bars

Body waxing studios

Can open indoors with modifications

See guidance for Personal care services

Bookstores

Can open with modifications

See guidance for Retail

Bowling alleys

Can open with modifications
– Max 50% capacity
– Max 75% capacity if all guests test negative or show proof of full vaccination
– Food/beverage service in designated areas only

See guidance for Gyms and fitness centers and Movie theaters and family entertainment centers

Breweries (where no meals provided)

Can open indoors and outdoors with modifications
– Max 50% capacity, or 200 people, whichever is fewer
– Capacity may increase to 75% if all guests show proof of negative test or full vaccination

See guidance for Restaurants, wineries, and bars

Campgrounds

Can open with modifications

See guidance for Outdoor recreation, including campgrounds and playgrounds

Cardrooms

Can open indoors with modifications
– Max 50% capacity
– Capacity may increase to 75% if all guests show proof of negative test or full vaccination

See guidance for Cardrooms and racetracks

Carwashes

Can open with modifications

See guidance for Limited services

Childcare

Can open with modifications

See guidance for Childcare

Churches

Can open indoors with modifications
– Max 50% capacity
– Capacity limits on places of worship are not mandatory but are strongly recommended

See guidance for Places of worship and cultural ceremonies

Clothing and shoe stores

Can open with modifications

See guidance for Retail

Concert venues

Closed

Conferences

Can open with modifications
– Tickets or guest list required
– Assigned seating
– No intermingling of multiple private events

Outdoor:
– Max capacity 200 people
– Max capacity 400 if all guests show proof of negative test or full vaccination

Indoor:
– Max capacity 200 if all guests show proof of negative test or full vaccination

See guidance for Private events

Construction

Can open with modifications

See guidance for Construction

Convenience stores

Can open with modifications

See guidance for Retail

Convention centers

Closed

Cultural ceremonies

Indoor ceremonies permitted with modifications. Max 50% capacity recommended. See separate guidance for receptions.

See guidance for Places of worship and cultural ceremonies and gatherings

Dance studios

Can open indoors with modifications
– +Saunas
– +Spas
– +Steam rooms
– Max 50% capacity

See guidance for Gyms and fitness centers

Day camps

Can open with modifications

See guidance for Day camps

Distilleries (where no meals provided)

Can open indoors and outdoors with modifications
– Max 50% capacity, or 200 people, whichever is fewer
– Capacity may increase to 75% if all guests show proof of negative test or full vaccination

See guidance for Restaurants, wineries, and bars

Doctors and dentists

Can open with modifications

Dog walkers

Can open with modifications

See guidance for Limited services

Door-to-door sales and services

Can open with modifications

See guidance for Limited services

Drive-in theaters

Can open outdoors only with modifications

See guidance for Movie theaters and family entertainment centers

Dry cleaners

Can open with modifications

See guidance for Limited services

Electricians

Can open with modifications

See guidance for Limited services

Electrologists

Can open indoors with modifications

See guidance for Personal care services

Estheticians

Can open indoors with modifications

See guidance for Personal care services

Fairs

Can open with modifications
– Max capacity 35%
– In-state visitors only

See guidance for Amusement parks and theme parks

Family entertainment centers

Can open indoors or outdoors with modifications
– Max 50% capacity
– Max 75% capacity if all guests test negative or show proof of full vaccination
– Food/beverage service in designated areas only

See guidance for Movie theaters and family entertainment centers

Farmers markets

Can open with modifications

See guidance for Retail

Festivals

Closed

Film and TV production

Can open with modifications

See guidance for Music, film, and TV production

Fire stations

Can open with modifications

Florists

Can open with modifications

See guidance for Retail

Food banks

Can open with modifications

Funeral homes

Can open indoors with modifications
– Max 50% capacity

See guidance for Places of worship and cultural ceremonies

Gas stations

Can open with modifications

See guidance for Retail

Gatherings

Are allowed with modifications

Outdoors:
– Max capacity 100 people

Indoors:
– Strongly discouraged
– Max 50% capacity or 50 people, whichever is fewer

See guidance for gatherings and holidays

Government services

Can open with modifications

Grocery stores

Can open with modifications

See guidance for Retail

Gyms and fitness centers

Can open indoors with modifications
– +Saunas
– +Spas
– +Steam rooms
– Max 50% capacity
– Capacity may increase to 75% if all guests show proof of negative test or full vaccination

See guidance for Gyms and fitness centers

Hair salons and barbershops

Can open indoors with modifications

See guidance for Hair salons and barbershops

Handypersons/general contractors

Can open with modifications

See guidance for Limited services

Higher education institutions

Capacity for indoor lectures and student gatherings must be limited to 50%. Some courses conducted in certain indoor settings, like labs and studio arts, may be open at regular capacity. Conduct student activities virtually when possible.

See guidance for Higher education

Home and furnishing stores

Can open with modifications

See guidance for Retail

Hospitals and urgent care

Can open with modifications

Hotels and lodging

Can open with modifications
– +Fitness centers (50%)
– +Spa facilities, etc.

See guidance for Hotels and lodging

HVAC services

Can open with modifications

See guidance for Limited services

Ice rinks

Can open with modifications

Indoors:
– Max 50% capacity
– Max 75% capacity if all guests test negative or show proof of full vaccination
– Food/beverage service in designated areas only

See guidance for Gyms and fitness centers and Movie theaters and family entertainment centers

Indoor playgrounds (bounce centers/ball pits/laser tag)

Can open with modifications
– Max 50% capacity
– Max 75% capacity if all guests test negative or show proof of full vaccination
– Food/beverage service in designated areas only

See guidance for Movie theaters and family entertainment centers

Jewelry stores

Can open with modifications

See guidance for Retail

Landscapers

Can open with modifications

See guidance for Limited services

Laundromats and laundry services

Can open with modifications

See guidance for Limited services

Libraries

Can open with modifications

See guidance for Retail

Live theater

Closed

Live performances

Can open with modifications
– In-state attendees only
– Advanced reservations only

Outdoors:
– Max capacity 67%, including suites
– Suite max capacity 25%
– Restricted concessions and dining

Indoors, all venues:
– No eating/drinking in seats, but in designated areas only
– Suites 25% capacity, max 3 households

Indoors, venues seating up to 1,500:
– Max 25% capacity or 300 people
– Max 50% capacity if all guests show proof of negative test or full vaccination

Indoors, venues seating 1,501 and above:
– Max 10% capacity or 2000 people, whichever is fewer, with no eating/drinking
– Max 50% capacity if all guests show proof of negative test or full vaccination

See guidance for Live events and performances

Massage therapy studios

Can open indoors with modifications

See guidance for Personal care services

Mosques

Can open indoors with modifications
– Max 50% capacity
– Capacity limits on places of worship are not mandatory but are strongly recommended

See guidance for Places of worship and cultural ceremonies

Movie theaters

Can open indoors with modifications
– Max 50% capacity
– Capacity may increase to 75% if all guests show proof of negative test or full vaccination

See guidance for Movie theaters and family entertainment centers

Museums

Can open indoors with modifications

See guidance for Museums, zoos, and aquariums

Music production

Can open with modifications

See guidance for Music, film, and TV production

Nail salons

Can open indoors with modifications

See guidance for Personal care services

Nightclubs

Closed

Offices (non-essential businesses)

Can open indoors with modifications
– Encourage working remotely

See guidance for Office workspaces

Outdoor playgrounds

Can open with modifications

See guidance for Outdoor recreation, including campgrounds and playgrounds

Outdoor recreation

Can open with modifications

See guidance for Outdoor recreation, including campgrounds and playgrounds

Pet groomers

Can open with modifications

See guidance for Limited services

Pharmacies

Can open with modifications

See guidance for pharmacies and retail

Piercing shops

Can open indoors with modifications

See guidance for Personal care services

Places of worship

Can open indoors with modifications
– Max 50% capacity
– Capacity limits on places of worship are not mandatory but are strongly recommended

See guidance for Places of worship and cultural ceremonies

Plumbing services

Can open with modifications

See guidance for Limited services

Police stations

Can open with modifications

Private events / meetings

Can open with modifications
– Tickets or guest list required
– Assigned seating
– No intermingling of multiple private events

Outdoor:
– Max capacity 200 people
– Max capacity 400 if all guests test negative or show proof of full vaccination

Indoor:
– Max capacity 200 if all guests test negative or show proof of full vaccination

See guidance for Private events

Professional sports

Can open outdoors only with modifications
– Max capacity 67%, including suites
– Suite max capacity 25%
– In-state attendees only
– Advanced reservations only
– Outdoor concessions sales only

See guidance for Live events and performances

Racetracks

Can open with modifications
– Permanent venues with live audiences outdoors only
– Max 25% capacity
– Regional attendees only (within 120 miles)
– Reservations required
– Assigned seating only
– In-seat concessions only (no concourse sales)

See guidance for Live events and performances

Receptions

Can open with modifications
– Tickets or guest list required
– Assigned seating
– No intermingling of multiple private events

Outdoor:
– Max capacity 200 people
– Max capacity 400 if all guests test negative or show proof of full vaccination

Indoor:
– Max capacity 200 if all guests test negative or show proof of full vaccination

See guidance for Private events

Residential and janitorial cleaning services

Can open with modifications

See guidance for Limited services

Restaurants (dine-in)

Can open indoors with modifications
– Max 50% capacity
– Capacity may increase to 75% if all guests show proof of negative test or full vaccination

See guidance for Restaurants, wineries, and bars

Restaurants (take-out and delivery)

Can open with modifications

See guidance for Restaurants, wineries, and bars

Retailers

Can open with modifications

See guidance for Retail

Runs, walks, marathons, triathlons, endurance events

Can open with modifications
Outdoors:
– Max capacity 500 participants per hour and 1,500 total participants
– Max 3,000 participants if all participants show proof of negative test or full vaccination

See guidance for Youth and adult recreational sports

Satellite wagering sites

Can open indoors with modifications
– Max 50% capacity

See guidance for Cardrooms and racetracks

Saunas and steam rooms

Can open indoors with modifications
– +Saunas
– +Spas
– +Steam rooms
– Max 50% capacity

See guidance for Gyms and fitness centers

Schools

Schools may reopen fully for in-person instruction. Local school officials will decide whether and when that will occur.

See guidance for schools, cohorting FAQs, and CA Safe Schools for All hub

Shopping malls

Can open with modifications
– Reduced capacity food courts (see Restaurants)

See guidance for Shopping centers

Short-term lodging rentals

Can open with modifications
– +Fitness centers (50%)
– +Spa facilities, etc.

See guidance for Hotels and lodging

Skateparks

Can open with modifications

See guidance for Outdoor recreation, including campgrounds and playgrounds

Ski resorts

Can open with modifications

See guidance for Outdoor recreation, including campgrounds and playgrounds

Skin care services

Can open indoors with modifications

See guidance for Personal care services

Sporting goods stores

Can open with modifications

See guidance for Retail

State and local government offices

Can open with modifications

See guidance for Office workspaces

State beaches

Can open with modifications

See guidance for Outdoor recreation, including campgrounds and playgrounds

State forests

Can open with modifications

See guidance for Outdoor recreation, including campgrounds and playgrounds

State-managed lakes and reservoirs

Can open with modifications

See guidance for Outdoor recreation, including campgrounds and playgrounds

State parks

Can open with modifications

See guidance for Outdoor recreation, including campgrounds and playgrounds

Swap meets

Can open with modifications
– Reduced capacity food courts (see Restaurants)

See guidance for Shopping centers

Swimming pools

Can open outdoors with modifications. Drowning prevention classes, including swim lessons with certified instructors, are permitted indoors and outdoors.

See guidance for Gyms and fitness centers, Outdoor recreation, including campgrounds and playgrounds, and Hotels and lodging

Synagogues

Can open indoors with modifications
– Max 50% capacity
– Capacity limits on places of worship are not mandatory but are strongly recommended

See guidance for Places of worship and cultural ceremonies

Tattoo parlors

Can open indoors with modifications

See guidance for Personal care services

Temples

Can open indoors with modifications
– Max 50% capacity
– Capacity limits on places of worship are not mandatory but are strongly recommended

See guidance for Places of worship and cultural ceremonies

Theme parks

Larger parks open with modifications
– 25% capacity
– Reservations or advance tickets required

See guidance for Amusement parks and theme parks

Toy stores

Can open with modifications

See guidance for Retail

Water parks

Can open with modifications.
– Indoor dining maximum 50% capacity
– Walk up ticket sales allowed
– Must give name and phone number for contact tracing

Outdoors:
– Maximum 40% capacity

Indoors:
– Parks, pools, and rides maximum 25% capacity
– Capacity may increase to 37.5% if all guests show proof of negative test or full vaccination

See guidance for Amusement parks, theme parks, and water parks

Weddings

Indoor ceremonies permitted with modifications. Max 50% capacity recommended. See separate guidance for receptions.

See guidance for Places of worship and cultural ceremonies and gatherings

Wineries

Can open indoors and outdoors with modifications
– Max 50% capacity, or 200 people, whichever is fewer
– Capacity may increase to 75% if all guests show proof of negative test or full vaccination

See guidance for Restaurants, wineries, and bars

Yoga studios

Can open indoors with modifications
– +Saunas
– +Spas
– +Steam rooms
– Max 50% capacity

See guidance for Gyms and fitness centers

Youth and adult recreational sports

Some indoor moderate-contact sports allowed, and some indoor high-contact sports permitted. See list.

See guidance for Youth and adult recreational sports

Zoos

Can open indoors with modifications

See guidance for Museums, zoos, and aquariums

The post San Francisco 1st Bay Space county within the yellow tier appeared first on DAILY SAN FRANCISCO BAY NEWS.

When stores closed in the first few weeks of the COVID-19 pandemic, plywood and other drab coverings were a common sight on most of the streets of San Francisco. They have been a constant, hard reminder of the overwhelming health and financial challenges that remain. When artists were given permission to paint murals and create other art forms on these sleeves and in other selected locations, their efforts brought welcome visual relief and a sense of hope to many.

In keeping with this renewed emphasis on the arts, Mayor London Breed launched the San Francisco Creative Corps pilot program late last year to support artists and promote public health through art.

In the past few months, San Francisco Bay Times photographer Rink and others have captured images of the resulting artwork, and particularly street art, in Castro and other parts of the city. The Bay Times also featured honey bears by artist Five, who raised thousands of dollars for San Francisco charities.

In response to critics, five recently wrote, “Duchamp said that the artist is only responsible for 50% of the work and the audience is responsible for the other 50%. I tried to create a spot of light in a dark time during the pandemic. But it’s still art. Obviously, not everyone will like it. I think that’s okay and completely normal. Elie Wiesel says the opposite of love is not hate, but indifference. The worst that can happen to an artist is that someone walks past their work and feels nothing. If someone will go by and feel love, then someone will go by and feel hate. “

As of this writing, San Francisco is moving to the yellow tier, which is the least restrictive tier in the state. The city’s art landscape is also changing now. Here’s a look back at some of the murals and other works of art – many of which have already been removed or painted over – that are likely to be forever associated with this unprecedented time.

Photos from the ice rink
Published on May 6, 2021

The post San Francisco Artscape Shifts as Metropolis Strikes Towards Yellow Tier – San Francisco Bay Instances appeared first on DAILY SAN FRANCISCO BAY NEWS.

Dr. Sara Cody, senior health officer for Santa Clara County, announces a revision of local corporate COVID restrictions on May 18, 2021.

SAN JOSE, California – – Santa Clara county health officials announced that COVID restrictions would ease on Wednesday as the county moves to the state’s yellow tier in the reopening plan.

The county is introducing a unique model that has not yet been seen in the Bay Area or possibly California.

Under the county’s new rules to limit the pandemic, companies no longer need to maximize the number of employees working from home, said Dr. Sara Cody and other Santa Clara officials. Corporate social distancing requirements will also be lifted.

Santa Clara County, moving to yellow row, is revising COVID rules

Santa Clara County’s health officials announced they are easing COVID restrictions but adding a new health ordinance requiring employers to inquire about workers’ vaccination status. The county moves into the yellow row on Wednesday.

SEE ALSO: Bay Area’s Guide to COVID-19 Rules: What Each County Allow

Instead of these rules, employers have two weeks to determine the COVID vaccination status of each employee. Additional safety measures are being put in place for workers who are not vaccinated or who refuse to reveal their vaccination status, district officials said. When a COVID case arises, officials must be notified.

“If employees want to decline to reveal their status, they can check,” said District Attorney James Williams. “If they do this, however, they are treated as not vaccinated in terms of occupational health and safety regulations.”

“This will be very complicated for many employers, especially small businesses,” said Donald Polden, law professor at Santa Clara University.

Polden said that in this uncharted territory, much remains to be worked out between an employer’s duty to create a safe job and workers who cannot or do not want to be vaccinated.

“Given some people’s concerns about taking vaccines for any reason, it can create tension between them and their employers,” Polden said.

The changes are an indication that the COVID pandemic is less of a threat, Cody said.

“For the first time in a long time I’m optimistic,” said Cody.

The change to the yellow tier means that Santa Clara County has reached the least restrictive tier in the California system.

The county case rate is 1/3 that of a month ago and at 0.5% marks the lowest positivity rate ever recorded.

72% of Santa Clara County’s residents 12 and older have received a COVID shot, while 56% of eligible residents in this age group are fully vaccinated.

The county will follow state guidelines that require masks to be worn indoors by June 15, regardless of vaccination status. People who have already been vaccinated can walk around the outdoors without covering their face in the state.

The color-coded system, which defines which companies can be open in which districts and with what capacity, will be lifted on June 15th.

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Santa Clara County could be the next in the Bay Area to hit the yellow tier for COVID-19 reopening this week.

The county’s fall and positivity rates meet the state’s criteria for moving to yellow. Only 24 new cases have been reported in the past 24 hours, including two deaths. According to the district, 59% of residents aged 16 and over are fully vaccinated.

If the move is announced on Tuesday, Santa Clara County would be the third county in the Bay Area to make it to the least restrictive yellow plains, joining San Francisco and San Mateo counties.

By moving to the yellow level, many companies such as bars, restaurants, gyms and cinemas can expand their capacities to operate indoors.

California officials have set June 15 as the date for everything to fully reopen, but Santa Clara County would get a head start if it got the green light.

If the county receives clearance on Tuesday, the change in yellow will take effect on Wednesday.

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San Francisco plans to move into the yellow row next week, a change that will bring a breath of fresh air to its restaurants and bars. In a small business webinar from the San Francisco Business and Human Resources Development Office, SF Assistant Health Officer Dr. Susan Philip said the city and county are on track to enter the least restrictive yellow tier this coming Friday, May 7th, vaccinated guests may be able to remove masks outdoors, and bars may be able to move indoors with a capacity of 25 percent open again.

The biggest update is that the city is hoping to simplify the rules on outdoor masks after the CDC recently recommended that fully vaccinated individuals no longer need to wear masks outdoors when walking, running, cycling, or chatting in small groups gather. However, San Francisco is waiting for California to formally conform to advice from the CDC before official updates are made, and overall, the SFDH continues to promote outdoor activities that Dr. Philip continues to be much safer than indoor activities.

In restaurants with al fresco dining, the yellow tier means that fully vaccinated individuals may no longer need to wear face masks, provided the tables are six feet apart. Unvaccinated individuals are still advised to wear face masks outdoors, and everyone must continue to wear face masks indoors. Indoor dining will stay constant at 50 percent capacity, which may be a disappointment for some, but the total number of people limit will be removed and the tables will accommodate up to eight people from three different households. Buffets as well as sushi boats and fro-yo machines can also return, provided a measuring system is in place.

Vaccinated drinkers may no longer be required to wear masks in outdoor drinking bars, but unvaccinated drinkers are still advised to wear masks. Big cocktail news allows bars with a capacity of 25 percent or up to 100 people to be opened for drinking indoors, regardless of whether they serve food or not. This also applies to wineries, breweries and distilleries.

It was a long winter on the purple stage of “widespread risk” when San Francisco closed for the holidays. But the city turned a corner in the spring and switched to the red “significant risk” tier on March 3, which ushered in the return of indoor dining, and to the orange “moderate risk” tier on March 24th, causing The restrictions on bars have been relaxed and do not serve food. There was a slight delay in early April due to an increase in cases and San Francisco was held off the yellow row. But now the yellow tier promises to be the least restrictive of them all, indicating “minimal risk”. San Francisco and Marin may be the first two boroughs in the Bay Area to hit the least restrictive tier next week. But of course the color levels may go away soon – California is slated to reopen fully on June 15, assuming the number of cases stays low.

Dr. Philip said that despite animal swaps and openings in the past week, the city had only 33 cases with low and stable case numbers. Hospital stays have also remained low, with just 21 hospital stays in the past week. Vaccination rates continue to hit new highs, with the announcement that now 70 percent of adults over the age of 16 have received their first dose and 45 percent have received both doses. Dr. Philip cautioned, however, that the SFDPH will weigh vaccine success against the unknowns of new variants and keep an eye on the west coast as Oregon and Washington cases increase.

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San Francisco rose from the red to the milder orange tier on Tuesday, and starting Wednesday more businesses will be able to open in the city for the first time, and those that are already open will be able to increase capacity indoors.

With the jump to the orange row, the city will see the most reopenings since the pandemic began in March 2020, according to Mayor London Breed.

“Thanks to the Franciscans’ continued efforts to adhere to public health guidelines and our efforts to vaccinate people as soon as possible, we have come to a place in the fight against this virus where we will continue to reopen the San can Francisco, ”Breed said in a statement.

The city released a long and detailed list on Tuesday that allows businesses and activities to resume operations and expand their capacities.

The following activities can reopen on Wednesday:

Non-essential offices: Individuals with 20 or more employees can re-open with up to 25% capacity indoors, including meeting and conference rooms with 25% capacity. Offices with fewer than 20 employees must reduce capacity to 6 feet between employees at all times.

Indoor family entertainment: Indoor bowling alleys, mini golf, pool halls and other family entertainments where individuals can easily keep a distance of at least 3m can be reopened with a capacity of up to 25%. Groups must consist of members of one household.

Indoor recreation: The facilities can be reopened with a capacity of 25% and up to 100 people. Up to 12 participants from up to three households can take part in contactless indoor recreation (and from up to four households with indoor tennis and pickleball).

Indoor organized sports for adolescents and adults can be resumed with stable groups of up to 16 participants with no budget limit. Spectators are not allowed in any context, except for the necessary supervision of children in youth sports. Young people are only allowed to take part in one organized indoor activity at a time. Indoor ice hockey, wrestling and water polo are still prohibited.

Bars, Breweries, Wineries, and Outdoor Distilleries: These can be used for outdoor seating table service without the need to serve food. No more than six people per table. Two table reservations are allowed, but guests cannot mingle between the tables. Indoor bars, breweries and wineries without a catering service will remain closed.

The following activities can expand your operational capacity:

Eat: Indoor dining in restaurants, bars serving meals, cafes and cafes, hotels, museums, and food courts in shopping malls can be expanded to 50% capacity or 200 people, whichever is less. Tables of up to six people from up to three households are allowed, and facilities can stay open until 11 p.m. The two-hour seat restriction has been lifted.

Eating outside can remove restrictions on the number of households seated at one table and allow group reservations of up to two tables outside (maximum 12 people). The tables are limited to 6 people.

Indoor private gatherings: Up to 12 people from three households are allowed to gather in a private household, with face covering, ventilation measures and distancing being urgently required. Such gatherings are discouraged unless they are gatherings with vaccinated individuals who meet CDC guidelines. If possible, gatherings should be held outdoors.

Private outdoor gatherings: Small outdoor gatherings can grow to 25 people from three households. Outdoor dining and drinking meetings can continue with six people from three households.

Gyms and Fitness: Gyms, fitness centers and indoor climbing walls can be expanded to 25% capacity for up to 100 people, including youth guests under the age of 18. Indoor locker rooms and showers can be opened with ventilation approved by the Ministry of Health. Indoor saunas, steam baths and whirlpools must remain closed.

Group fitness classes including cardio can resume up to 25% capacity or 100 people, whichever is lower. The 25-person limit for outdoor fitness classes can be lifted as long as the physical distance between participants is maintained.

Sale: Standalone retail stores, shopping malls, contactless retail services, equipment rentals, financial institutions, laundromats, etc. can increase customers’ indoor capacity to 50%.

Personal services: Indoor personal services such as hairdressing and nail salons can be expanded to 50% of customer capacity.

Museums, zoos and aquariums: Indoor capacity can be expanded to 50% of customer capacity with an approved security plan. Cloakrooms and interactive exhibits can be resumed with existing hygiene protocols. Auditoriums can be reopened for films according to the guidelines of the indoor cinema.
Outdoor zoos can reach their full capacity outdoors, with physical distancing in accordance with an approved safety plan.

Indoor worship and funerals: Indoor capacity can expand to 50% and resume singing, singing, and playing wind and brass players in compliance with applicable health regulations, including face covering and keeping 12 feet between households.

Indoor political demonstrations: Indoor events like campaign rallies can expand to 50% of maximum capacity and resume singing, singing, and playing wind and brass players in compliance with applicable health regulations, including face covering and keeping 12 feet between households.

Live entertainment: Live indoor and outdoor entertainment at a restaurant or other approved venue may include singing and playing wind and brass instruments with restrictions. Live outdoor entertainment such as drive-ins can escalate beyond six entertainers to what is possible with physical distance and may include singing and playing wind and brass instruments with safety measures.

Indoor cinemas: The capacity can be expanded to 50% or 200 people, whichever is lower. Seated food or drink concessions may be resumed for groups of viewers of up to six people from up to three households provided they are 6 feet apart from other viewers – provided that the Department of Health approved ventilation is in place.

Film production: The company can be expanded to 50 people.

Higher Education and Adult Education: Indoor classes, including lecture classes, and on-campus libraries can be resumed at 50% capacity for up to 200 students.

Outdoor tour operator: Open-air boat and bus tours can be expanded to 25 guests.

Pools: Indoor pools can be opened for general use with a capacity of up to 25%. Indoor water fitness classes must remain closed. Outdoor pools can be opened for general use up to a capacity of 50%. The aerobics class for gentle water outdoors can be continued.

Outdoor family entertainment: Outdoor roller rinks and ice rinks can expand to full capacity with physical distancing.
Standalone rides in amusement parks allow members of three households to live in enclosed spaces such as cars or cabins, with ventilation measures recommended.

Outdoor and after-school youth programs (OST): Childcare and Pre-K programs can be expanded from 16 participants to stable groups of any number of people permitted by their state licensing requirements. OST programs can be expanded to 27 (including teenagers and adults) for all programs other than sports.

Outdoor recreation: Participation in all types of outdoor recreation can be increased to 25 participants from three households (and four households in the case of golf, tennis, and pickleball). Sports organized outdoors for young people and adults can continue to be practiced with stable groups of 25 participants without any budget restrictions.

These activities will resume at a later date:

Art, music and theater performances and outdoor festivals: Starting April 1, organized outdoor arts and performance events can take place with audiences of up to 50 people if a health and safety plan is presented to the city at least five days in advance of the event. Allocated seats are not required, but social distance between spectators must be maintained. Seating concessions are permitted for al fresco dining or in the bar in accordance with health guidelines.

Outdoor spectator sports and great outdoor entertainment options: Beginning April 1, outdoor spectator sports and live entertainment venues may reopen with assigned seating with capacity restrictions and other operating policies if a health and safety plan is presented to the city at least five days prior to the event.

Youth camp overnight: From June 1st, youth camps can be resumed overnight according to government guidance.

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