California Department of Public Health (CDPH) officials ended the Regional Stay at Home Order today, which lifts the order for all regions statewide, including the Bay Area.
Most counties, including San Mateo County, are returning to the purple tier of the state’s Blueprint for a Safer Economy. That means restaurants may once again offer outdoor dining, and hair salons, barber shops and personal services, such as nail salons, may reopen provided that they follow state health guidelines. Outdoor social gatherings of 25 or fewer people, from three or fewer different households, are also now permitted.
The Bay Area hit the threshold to exit the order when its four-week ICU capacity projections for the region rose above 15 percent, the threshold that permits it.
David Canepa, president of the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors, called the news of the lifted stay at home order encouraging, but cautioned that the virus remains widespread.
Health guidelines continue to call for continued physical distancing and use of face coverings when outside the home. Occupancy limitations remain for indoor businesses and requirements limiting close-contact gatherings of people from different households. More information on health order guidelines can be viewed on the state’s web page.
As of Sunday, Jan. 24, San Mateo County Health reported 34,294 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 340 deaths. About 28 percent of those cases were confirmed within just the past 30 days.
Since case rates remain high across California, the state’s Hospital Surge Order is staying in place to help prevent hospitals from being overwhelmed. The Limited Stay at Home Order, which limits non-essential activities between the hours of 10 p.m. and 5 a.m., expires with the ending of the Regional Stay At Home Order.
Photo credited to San Mateo County Health
