Special Update
The county – effective Tuesday – moves back to the second stage (red) of the state’s four-tiered, color-coded reopening system.
San Mateo County falls back to the more restrictive red Tier 2 effective Tuesday on the state’s COVID-19 reopening plan as indoor dining is rolled back and fresh capacity and other limits are placed on businesses and other activities.

Following an increase in coronavirus cases, the state of California moved San Mateo County back from orange Tier 3 where the risk level from the virus is considered “moderate” to “substantial” under the red Tier 2. The setback affects a wide sector of businesses and adds to the urgency to follow health guidelines and not mix households indoors.

“While this is a setback, we need to look to a brighter future and to support local businesses and our local restaurants,” said Warren Slocum, president of the Board of Supervisors. “Let’s all take a pledge to patronize our favorite local businesses as best we can. That could be an order we pick up at the curbside or a take-out dinner. Let’s help one another the best we can at this most trying of times.”
Who can do what?

  • Restaurants – Indoor with modifications. Max 25% capacity, whichever is fewer.

  • Retail – Indoors with modifications. Max 50% capacity.

  • Shopping Centers – Indoor with modifications. Max 50% capacity. Closed common areas. Closed food courts.

  • Personal Care – Indoor with modifications.

  • Gyms & Fitness – Indoor with modifications. Max 10% capacity.

  • Places of Worship – Indoor with modifications. Max 25% capacity or 100 people, whichever is fewer.

Face Covering Guidance Changes

Updated guidance mandates that a face covering is required at all times when outside of the home, with some exceptions. Exceptions are: 

  • Persons in a car alone or solely with members of their own household.

  • Persons who are working in an office or in a room alone.

  • Persons who are actively eating or drinking provided that they are able to maintain a distance of at least six feet away from persons who are not members of the same household or residence.

  • Persons who are outdoors and maintaining at least 6 feet of social distancing from others not in their household. Such persons must have a face covering with them at all times and must put it on if they are within 6 feet of others who are not in their household.

  • Persons who are obtaining a service involving the nose or face for which temporary removal of the face covering is necessary to perform the service.

  • Workers who are required to wear respiratory protection.

  • Persons who are specifically exempted from wearing face coverings by other CDPH guidance. (see link for details)
Menlo Park Chamber of Commerce | (650) 325-2818 | menloparkchamber.com