Bay Area Temporarily Avoids New Restrictions

State of California Issues New Regional Stay Home Order to Address Surge in COVID-19 Cases

California Governor Gavin Newsom today announced a new regional-based framework for applying restrictions on activities and non-essential travel to stop the spread of COVID-19.
 
Under the state’s “Regional Stay Home Order,” new restrictions go into effect within 48 hours in regions with less than 15% intensive care unit (ICU) capacity. The new order does not immediately impact the Bay Area region, which includes the counties of San Mateo, Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Monterey, Napa, San Francisco, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Solano and Sonoma.
 
The state, however, projects the Bay Area region could fall below the 15% threshold by mid- to late-December, which would prompt the Regional Stay Home Order to take effect. The other four regions of the state (defined as Northern California, Greater Sacramento, San Joaquin Valley and Southern California) are projected to fall below the ICU threshold possibly within days.
 
Once triggered, the order would be in effect for 3 weeks and instructs Californians to stay at home as much as possible to limit the spread of COVID-19. It prohibits private gatherings of any size and closes or imposes capacity restrictions at many businesses except for critical infrastructure.

It allows travel for critical services such as visiting the doctor and shopping for groceries and allows most outdoor activities to preserve Californians’ physical and mental health. This limited closure is intended to stop a statewide surge in COVID-19 cases and prevent overwhelming regional ICU capacity.
 
County Health and other local officials are closely monitoring the situation and will update residents if the region’s status changes.
 
For more information on all COVID-19 restrictions and for updates, visit the State's dedicated web page here. 

San Mateo County Currently Remains in Purple Tier

Limited Stay At Home Order

The new limited stay at home order, announced by the state Nov. 19, is more limited than the spring “Shelter in Place” order and applies between 10 p.m. and 5 p.m. to counties in the purple Tier 1. It will remain in place until at least Dec. 21.
 
Residents can still go outside alone or with members of their own household “as long as they do not engage in any interaction” with members of other households or to work at essential jobs, such as in grocery stores. The order requires all nonessential businesses and restaurants – even if operating outdoors – to cease operations by 10 p.m.

More Information

• State: Find information about what's open on the state's COVID-19 website.
• County: Find local San Mateo County information on the County's website and the San Mateo County Health website.
• City: Find City of San Mateo specific updates at www.cityofsanmateo.org/coronavirus

Together we can help San Mateo County move further into reopening. 
Remember to wear face coverings when in public, wash your hands frequently, maintain at least six feet of distance when in public, and limit mixing with people outside of your household.