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Indoor dining, gyms, movie theaters, museums, other activities allowed as SF moves into Red Tier

All patrons must wear face coverings. Reopening places must have additional safety plans in place.
March 03, 2021

An updated health order allows for more activities to reopen. All facilities must have a safety plan in place, before they can reopen.

Everyone will be screened for COVID-19 symptoms before they enter the indoor space. See what to expect when visiting a business during the coronavirus pandemic.

Most nighttime activities can restart

Businesses activities and small outdoor gatherings (of up to three households with no more than 12 people) can continue past 10 pm. This includes outdoor dining.

However, indoor dining still must close between 10 pm and 5 am.

Indoor dining can operate at 25% capacity for each room, up to 100 patrons total, while you can dine outdoors with 1 more household than before

You can only dine indoors with people you live with, up to 4 to a table. If you’re dining outdoors, you can have up to 6 people at your table, from 3 different households (from 2).

Takeout, delivery, and outdoor dining are still available. All are safer options than indoor dining. 

Although, all in-person dining has some risk. You’d be gathering unmasked with others. We urge you not to dine in-person for now if:

  • You are older and unvaccinated
  • You have health risks and are unvaccinated
  • You live with an unvaccinated person who is older or has health risks

Everyone must wear face coverings, except when actively eating or drinking. For instance, you must mask up when your server approaches your table to take your order.

See guidance for restaurants.

Gyms can operate indoors at 10% capacity for each space

Everyone must be able to stay 6 feet apart.

Showers, saunas, hot tubs, and locker rooms must stay closed.

Indoor pools can reopen only for basic swimming and drowning prevention classes for children. Capacity is limited to up to 25%, not including staff.

See guidance for gyms and recreational facilities.

Museums can open indoors up to 25% capacity for patrons

Indoor museums include indoor aquariums and zoos may open at up to 25% capacity with an approved safety plan.. Indoor dining and retail may also open inside these facilities, following dining and retail rules.

See guidance for museums.

Personal care services where you remove your mask are allowed

If you need to remove your mask while getting a personal care service (like, for getting a facial treatment), you must be seated 6 feet away from others. You can also be seated in a separate room, if you’re inside.

Your service provider must wear eye protection and a well-fitted mask. We strongly recommend N-95 masks for the service provider.

See guidance for personal care services.

Organized outdoor recreational sports can resume, with some rules

Such outdoor sports may include:

  • Baseball
  • Field hockey
  • Lacrosse
  • Football
  • Basketball
  • Soccer

You can play on a team in an organized program with up to 25 people total, with everyone masked when practicing or playing for fun. Players can remove masks in competitions, only for sports that can be played with athletes at least 6 feet apart. 

Drive-in gatherings can have live performers

For drive-in gatherings, 6 live performers or presenters are allowed, in addition to drive-in movies. Only 1 is allowed to shout, sing, or play a wind instrument at a time. They must wear a face covering and be 12 feet away from everyone else.

You must keep to only one household per car. There can be no more than 100 cars total.  Food and beverage concessions are allowed for eating in your car. 

See guidance for drive-in gatherings.

Middle and high schools can apply for a waiver to reopen

All schools can open now. Most schools must apply for approval of a safety plan to reopen. See more information from the Department of Public Health about the approval process.

Check the school reopening dashboard to see where schools are in the process.

See all public health guidance for schools, childcare, and youth programs.