San Mateo County Added to
State’s Monitoring List

As of Wednesday, July 29, San Mateo County has been added to the State’s monitoring list based on an increase in local COVID-19 case data. Should the County remain on the State’s list for 3 consecutive days, additional businesses will have to close indoor operations beginning Saturday, Aug. 1. County officials believe that the local case rate will not decrease by Saturday and urge businesses and the community to prepare now for the additional restrictions.

If we remain on the list, the following industries or activities would have to close starting Aug. 1, unless they can modify their operations to occur outdoors:

• Hair salons and barbershops
• Gyms and fitness centers
• Places of worship and cultural ceremonies, like weddings and funerals
• Offices for non-critical infrastructure sectors
• Personal care services, like nail salons and body waxing
• Shopping malls
• Indoor dining would no longer be allowed
  

Businesses wishing to operate outdoors must follow the State’s industry guidance for counties on the monitoring list, and comply with City zoning restrictions.

Current City zoning restrictions do not allow outdoor operations of businesses that only have permits to operate indoors, which includes nail and hair salons. We've established a permitting process for limited use of City parks for outdoor gym or recreation activities. We are currently evaluating whether to adjust any additional local zoning regulations, and will provide further information as soon as it is available.  

Businesses Required to Close Statewide

A statewide order effective as of July 13 also closed the following:

• Indoor dining at restaurants (outdoor dining is still allowed)
• Wineries and tasting rooms (indoor)
• Movie theaters (indoor)
• Family entertainment centers (for example: bowling alleys, miniature golf, batting cages and arcades) (indoor)
• Zoos and museums (indoor)
• Cardrooms (indoor)
• Bars, brewpubs, breweries, and pubs must close all operations (except those offering dine-in meals outdoors, and alcohol can only be served in conjunction with food)

Shops offering tattoos, piercings and electrolysis may not be operated outdoors and must close. Additional restrictions are in place, visit the State’s COVID-19 FAQ web page for more information. If you wish to report a businesses that is not complying with COVID regulations within the City of San Mateo, please contact our Code Enforcement Division at (650) 522-7150 or codeenforcement@cityofsanmateo.org. 

Monitoring Health Data

Public health experts are closely monitoring COVID-19 data to determine what businesses can or cannot be open at a given time. With COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations rising across California, these statewide orders require we rollback reopening to protect public health.

The State is monitoring county data including how rates of infection, hospitalizations, hospital capacity, and deaths. You can review San Mateo County data on the Health System website. There is a dashboard with overall information, hospital data, lab testing data, case numbers by city, and more.

We must all continue taking steps to protect ourselves, our families, our friends and our community. PLEASE make sure to wear face coverings, practice social distancing and wash your hands frequently. Your actions today will affect our future.