Press ReleaseAs expected, Alameda County issued Health Officer Orders today to allow for the reopening of all retail and outdoor dining beginning Friday, June 19. This order also includes outdoor museums, limited religious and cultural services, and outdoor fitness classes.
The number of COVID-19 hospitalizations has stabilized over the past two weeks within Alameda County, and the number of tests conducted daily is over two-thirds of the County’s testing goal of 3,100 tests conducted per day, with overall positivity rates dropping to an average of 3.5%.
Locally, cases in the 94608 zip code have increases by 3-5 cases per week with last week seeing 9 cases reported. Positive cases in Emeryville, reported as less then 10 up until June 1, stands at 15 cases.
#COVID19 cases in the 94608 zip code saw their largest week-to-week jump since we’ve been tracking them, increasing from 38 to 47. Emeryville cases surged from 10 to 15 cases according to @Dare2BWell. pic.twitter.com/N3YTcKU8dV
— The E’ville Eye News (@TheEvilleEye) June 15, 2020
“Further relaxation of the Shelter-in-Place Orders is possible thanks to efforts to limit the spread of COVID19 by Alameda County’s residents and continued expansion of our case and contact investigation resources” said Dr. Pan. “With an increasing number of opportunities for consumers and workers to interact with each other, it’s more important than ever to wear a face covering whenever you leave home, maintain at least 6 feet of distance from people outside of your household, practice good hand hygiene, and stay home if you have any symptoms of COVID-19.”
Highlights for Outdoor Dining:
- Outdoor seating arrangements must be limited to 6 people per table, all from same household or Social Bubble
- Tables must be 6 feet apart
- Entertainment events not allowed
- Bars must remain closed to customers and alcohol may only be sold with a meal
- Restaurant must comply with relevant laws, regulations and permitting requirements
- Takeout and delivery options are strongly recommended
Highlights on alcohol sales:
- Alameda County is not a Variance County at this time, and restaurants seeking a Temporary Catering Permit to serve alcohol outdoors from the State Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control may experience delays
- Wineries with on-site restaurants may do tastings with food pairings outdoors
- Brewpubs, breweries, bars, pubs, craft distilleries, and wineries that do not provide sit-down meals themselves can contract with another vendor to do so. The alcohol must be sold in the same transaction as a meal.
- Bars must remain closed to the public but may provide pickup/takeaway service with the sales of bona fide meals. These meals may be provided by an affiliate restaurant or by a food service provider that partners with the bar. Alcohol and meal delivery must occur in the same transaction at the same location.
ADVERTISEMENT [adrotate group="13"]
Highlights for Indoor/Outdoor Retail and Shopping Centers
- Limit capacity to 50% of normal maximum capacity or the number of people who can always maintain 6 feet of distance from each other, whichever is lower
- Stores may move goods outside for display or sale if local permits allow for it
- Curbside and delivery are strongly recommended to continue as much as possible
Highlights for Religious and Cultural Ceremonies
- Limit to fewer than 100 people or 25% of the building/area capacity, whichever is lower
- Permitted indoors or outdoors, but a strongly recommended outdoor limit of 25, and an indoors limit of 12
- Continuing virtual services is strongly recommended
- Food and beverage sales/distribution are discouraged
- Local guidance includes recommended modifications for common practices to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission
A summary of the Orders and a full list of permissible businesses and activities are available on ahphd.org.
Additional information about the order can be read on acphd.org →
Can anybody explain why retail can open at 50% capacity but religious buildings are limited to 25%? Could it be the tax exempt status is influencing greedy politicians decisions? People can sing while wearing a required mask.
Service lasts longer than buying something.
Internet searches show: 1) the average time at the mall is 135 minutes vs. the average time at service is 85 minutes. (There are wide ranges for both.) 2) Shopping is a hobby for some people because of the opportunity to interact with others. 3) It is a form of therapy for some people.
Perhaps California politicians have decided tax revenue is more important that saving souls.
[…] expected, Alameda County issued a new health order yesterday expanding the list of businesses allowed to reopen to include outdoor dining. Among the eating […]
[…] retail and outdoor dining was given the green light to reopen back on June 18. The next phase, referred to as “Phase 3,” would allow indoor dining, bars, hair salons & […]
[…] county had previously approved outdoor dining back on June 19th but put a pause on allowing indoor dining and the opening of bars and salons after a surge in […]
Has anyone checked in on the cardrooms, gyms, billiards and sports recreation rooms, indoor dining and movie theaters?
Have you spoken with each business asking them how they’re doing, and are they receiving the service (for example – protection from looting) that they paid for in advance and were promised?
Do you actually care about them?
Many of those businesses are still closed and they are feeling left behind.