Mayor Breed Extends Shelter in Place Order until May 1st

The Bay Area’s shelter-in-place order, which bans all non-essential trips outside the home and requires restaurants to operate only through takeout and delivery as well as other essential businesses, will be extended until May 1, Mayor London Breed confirmed Monday (3/30/2020). 

The order, which is intended to slow the spread of new coronavirus (COVID-19), was initially set to expire on April 7. Mayor Breed cautioned that the region would continually re-evaluate that date as the crisis continues.

Please see below a list of essential businesses.

What are considered essential businesses

Essential businesses can remain open if they abide by social distancing requirements. Non-essential businesses can only perform basic operations.

Essential businesses include:

• Healthcare Operations and Essential Infrastructure

• Grocery stores, certified farmers’ markets, farm and produce stands, supermarkets, food banks, convenience stores, and other establishments engaged in the retail sale of canned food, dry goods, fresh fruits and vegetables, pet supply, fresh meats, fish, and poultry, and any other household consumer products (such as cleaning and personal care products). This includes stores that sell groceries and also sell other non-grocery products, and products necessary to maintaining the safety, sanitation, and essential operation of residences

• Food cultivation, including farming, livestock, and fishing

• Businesses that provide food, shelter, and social services, and other necessities of life for economically disadvantaged or otherwise needy individuals

• Newspapers, television, radio, and other media services

• Gas stations and auto-supply, auto-repair, and related facilities

• Banks and related financial institutions

• Hardware stores

• Plumbers, electricians, exterminators, and other service providers who provide services that are necessary to maintaining the safety, sanitation, and essential operation of residences, Essential Activities, and Essential Businesses

• Businesses providing mailing and shipping services, including post office boxes

• Educational institutions—including public and private K-12 schools, colleges, and universities—for purposes of facilitating distance learning or performing essential functions, provided that social distancing of six-feet per person is maintained to the greatest extent possible

• Laundromats, dry cleaners, and laundry service providers

• Restaurants and other facilities that prepare and serve food, but only for delivery or carry out.

• Bars that serve food may remain open for food delivery or carry out of food. They may also provide beverage delivery subject to compliance with state and local laws. They cannot provide onsite service for beverages or carry out of beverages. Bars that do not serve food must remain closed to the public but they can provide beverage delivery, again subject to compliance with state and local laws.

• School meals: Schools and other entities that typically provide free food services to students or members of the public may continue to do so under this Order on the condition that the food is provided to students or members of the public on a pick-up and takeaway basis only. Schools and other entities that provide food services under this exemption shall not permit the food to be eaten at the site where it is provided, or at any other gathering site

• Businesses that supply products needed for people to work from home

• Businesses that supply other essential businesses with the support or supplies necessary to operate

• Businesses that ship or deliver groceries, food, goods or services directly to residences

• Airlines, taxis, and other private transportation providers providing transportation services necessary for Essential Activities and other purposes expressly authorized in this Order

• Home-based care for seniors, adults, or children

• Residential facilities and shelters for seniors, adults, and children

• Professional services, such as legal or accounting services, when necessary to assist in compliance with legally mandated activities

• Childcare facilities providing services that enable employees exempted in this Order to work as permitted

• Bike shops may remain open for sales, rental and repair to the extent necessary to provide vehicles for Essential Travel, Essential Business or Essential Activity

Businesses that do not fall in one of these categories are non-essential.

Any essential business that is open must follow social distancing best practice.

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