After being on the state’s coronavirus watch list for more than three days, San Mateo County is now being required to order the closure of specific indoor businesses unless they can operate outside or via curbside pickup, effective Sunday, Aug. 2. That includes gyms and fitness centers, offices, barbershops, hair and nail salons and shopping malls, the county said.
“Shops that offer tattoos, piercings, and electrolysis may not be operated outdoors and must close,” the county added.
County officials had expressed hope early Saturday that no additional closures would be needed, adding they were in discussions with the state. However, the state informed the county mid-day Saturday that businesses would need to close or shift operations outdoors, officials said.
A county is placed on the watch list if it has over 100 cases per 100,000 residents over a 14-day period. San Mateo County is at 114.8 per 100,000, according to state data, and was first placed on the watch list on Wednesday. All Bay Area counties are currently on the state’s watch list, which aims to monitor and address concerning trends in COVID-19 cases.
For more information, visit the state website here and the county website here.
