Yesterday, the San Francisco Department of Public Health updated the Health Order to align with the state’s guidelines. Read the updated Health Order to see the changes that have been made. You can also read a redlined version of the Health Order so you can more easily see the changes. While it is always critical to read these documents in their entirety, we want to take a moment to call your attention to a few of the notable changes:
Face mask removal in stable cohorts
(Appendix A)
This order allows the removal of face coverings within stable cohorts to resume in spaces where everyone has up-to-date vaccinations (primary vaccination series, plus booster if eligible) beginning February 1st. Note that the previous threshold was the primary vaccination series only.
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Spaces subject to the vaccination requirement
e.g. Establishments or events where food or drink is served indoors, gyms, and other fitness establishments where patrons engage in exercises involving elevated breathing (See Order Section 4a)
Operators of such Businesses are now permitted, but not required, to accept exemptions from the vaccination requirements for:
- Religious beliefs
- Qualifying medical reasons
* For patrons, no paperwork is required to prove the religious or medical exemption. For staff, documentation is required. View sample declination forms in multiple languages.
In order to exercise these exemptions qualifying patrons and staff must:
- Produce a negative COVID-19 rapid antigen test within the day before entry and a PCR laboratory test within two days before entry. (Please see discussion of testing further down in this summary).
- Wear a well-fitting mask at all times except as allowed under specific exemptions of Appendix A (such as while actively eating or drinking).
Note: Nothing in the Order limits any business’ ability under applicable law to determine whether they are able to offer a reasonable accommodation to staff with an approved exemption. Because testing and masking are not as effective at preventing the spread of COVID-19 as being up-to-date on vaccination, a business may determine that the minimum requirements in this order are not sufficient for its operations to protect the health and safety of patrons, staff, or others.
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Indoor Mega-Events
Defined as those with 500+ attendees (see Order Section 7b)
The order brings us more closely into alignment with state regulations. Attendees now must either:
- Be up-to-date on vaccinations, including booster if eligible OR
- Produce a negative COVID-19 rapid antigen test within the day before entry and a PCR laboratory test within two days before entry. (Please see the Testing section below for more information.)
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Testing
When patrons or employees are producing a negative COVID-19 test, they must:
Be within one day of an antigen test or two days of a PCR laboratory test.
- However, no person is required to get more than 2 tests per week, each test must be at least 3 days apart.
- What can be used as proof of a negative test?
- A printed document from a test provider of a laboratory.
- An electronic test result is displayed on a phone or other device from the test provider or laboratory – the information should include the person’s name, type of test performed, and negative test result.
- A photo taken of a self-administered rapid antigen test (such as an at-home test) is not acceptable proof of a negative test. Verification of the test result from a third party is needed.
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COVID-19 Resources
- Vaccination and booster sites in San Francisco
- Testing sites in San Francisco
- Isolation and Quarantine guidelines
- SF COVID data
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SF Extends Funding for Right to Recover Program to Support COVID-Positive Workers
Last week, Mayor London Breed and Supervisor Hillary Ronen announced that San Francisco will allocate an additional $5.4 million from the City’s General Fund to extend the Right to Recover Program through the end of June 2022 to meet the current surge in applications. The Right to Recover Program provides a one-time payment to adult residents of San Francisco who test positive for COVID-19, and anticipate experiencing financial hardship during their quarantine or isolation.
For more information on the Right to Recover Program, please visit oewd.org/covid19/workers.
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Free at-home COVID-19 Tests
Every home in the U.S. is eligible to order 4 free at-home COVID-19 tests.
- Limit of one order per residential address.
- One order includes 4 individual rapid antigen COVID-19 tests.
- Orders will ship free starting in late January.
To order, visit https://www.covidtests.gov/.
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Contact Us
As always, OSB is here to help. Contact us online at sfosb.org, by email at sfosb@sfgov.org, or by phone at 415-554-6134.