San Francisco is expected to move from the red level to the lighter orange level by March 24, and on Thursday Mayor London Breed hosted a webinar on how the city will move forward as COVID-19 vaccine rollouts accelerate and infection rates take off.
“I understand that the reopening we have planned for the orange level is more than what we have reopened at one time since the beginning of this,” Breed said. “Therefore, it is good news and I hope we can sustain it. I am excited about the momentum we have around us and how much we are going to see again next week.”
With the move to orange, the city begins its first efforts to bring back festivities and entertainment. The city can jump into the even less severe yellow level as soon as three weeks after the orange jump. Race indicated that more openings would come this summer.
“I hope we will have more in this area soon because I would like to go to a concert to see a concert,” she said.
At the orange level, California is allowing new business sectors to reopen and expanding some indoor activities such as dining, museums, movie theaters and fitness with restrictions.
With a few exceptions, the reopening of the city joins what is allowed by the state.
Here’s what will allow SF to reopen as it moves to Orange Wednesday. Get a complete overview by watching the city’s webinar.
-Bars, breweries, wineries and distilleries can sit open for table, without seating. No more than six people per table. Two table reservations are allowed, but guests cannot mix between tables.
-All retail stores, including grocery stores, can increase capacity up to 50%. Indoor food courts can also be open with a capacity of 50%.
Laundry, dry cleaners, sofas, car repairs and equipment rental can expand up to 50%.
– Indoor dining room can expand to 50% or 200 people, depending on which one is the smallest. Tables for up to six people from up to three households are allowed and institutions can remain open until 23:00. The two-hour limit for seating is lifted.
-With outdoor meals, the number of households at a table for outdoor meals will be removed, but tables will be limited to a total of six people.
-Artists and music festivals outside are allowed, but attendance should be limited to 50 people and rules for social distance should be followed between individuals from different households.
Indoor gyms can increase up to 25%, and showers and locker rooms can reopen. Cardio, aerobic group and hot yoga classes are allowed at 25% capacity. Indoor pools can operate at a lower capacity.
-Youth sports, dance and exercise can be run indoors with a capacity of 25%.
Hotels can open dining and fitness facilities. Indoor saunas, steam rooms and bubbles should remain closed.
– Indoor personal services such as hair salons will be allowed to expand to 50% capacity.
Indoor movie theaters can increase the capacity to 50% or 200 people, whichever is less. Visitors from up to three households, up to six people, may buy tickets to sit down and eat or drink.
-Indoor museums, zoos and aquariums can expand the capacity to 50%; indoor food and beverage service allowed with capacity restrictions. Restrictions on outside capacity will be removed.
Essential offices can reopen with 25% capacity; the capacity in conference rooms is limited to 25%.