Bay Area Health Officers have extended the Shelter-at-Home Health Order until May 31. The order now allows all construction activities, certain businesses that operate primarily outdoors, and some outdoor activities to resume operation with specific conditions.
The eased restrictions reflect progress due to our collective actions to stay home and social distance.
The continued restrictions are based on the fact there is still evidence of continued significant community transmission of the virus and uncertainty about the degree of undetected asymptomatic transmission. Health Officers are also concerned that the age, condition and health of a significant portion of our population is at risk for serious health complications, including death, from COVID-19.
The Health Officers believe their order is based on scientific evidence and best practices regarding the most effective approaches to slow transmission of the virus.
The following business activities are now allowed (in addition to previously allowable ones):
- All construction activities with safety protocols followed.
- Commercial as well as residential real estate transactions with continued restrictions on in-person viewings and appointments.
- Outdoor businesses (businesses which normally operated primarily outdoors prior to March 16) and where six feet physical distancing is maintained, including gardening/landscaping services, nurseries, and agricultural operations.
Expansion of Allowable Recreational Activities
- Shared outdoor recreational facilities that do not encourage gathering or contain high-touch equipment are allowed.
- Allowed activities: Golf, tennis and pickle ball courts, skate parks, shooting/archery ranges, and athletic fields (must comply with Health Officer restrictions on access/use)
- Sports/activities using shared equipment or physical contact may only be engaged in by members of the same household or living unit.
- Non-allowable activities: Playgrounds, gyms, climbing walls, picnic areas, dog parks, pools, spas, barbecue areas (these areas must be closed to public access).
Allowable Childcare, Summer Camps, Educational and Recreational Programs
- These activities can operate to provide care and supervision for children but must be carried out in stable groups of 12 or fewer children (same children every day).
- If there is more than one group of children at one facility, each group must be in a separate room and groups shall not mix with each other.
- The providers or educators shall remain solely with one group of children.
Indicators to track progress
The Health Officers also released "Indicators" which will be tracked to assess our progress and help guide how quickly we move away from shelter-in-place restrictions. These Indicators are:
- Total number of cases and COVID-19 hospitalizations are both flat or decreasing for 14 consecutive days
- We have sufficient hospital capacity meaning that no more than 50% of patients in staffable non-surge hospital beds are COVID-19 positive
- At least 200 viral detection tests are being conducted per 100,000 residents per day (that's 2,200 per day in Contra Costa County)
- We have sufficient case investigation, contact tracing, and isolation/quarantine capacity (meaning we reach 90% of cases and their contacts and 90% of cases and their contacts can safely isolate or quarantine)
- We have at least a 30-day supply of personal protective equipment available for all healthcare providers
I know how much financial hardship is being felt by families and businesses during these challenging times. That's why we've passed a rent freeze countywide with substantial eviction protections, and funded community non-profits who are providing vital services to vulnerable residents. We also continue to advocate for more Federal and State resources for impacted individuals.
I will continue to keep you informed as we move through this crisis.
"Stay in place, maintain your space, cover your face"
