Starting Thursday at 8 a.m., San Francisco will allow the return of indoor live-audience events and performances, as well as private events like conferences and receptions.
Under the new health order, the city will open indoor ticketed and seated events with up to 35% capacity for venues with an approved health and safety plan. Participants will be required to keep their masks on except when eating or drinking in designated concession areas, maintain distancing requirements and show proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test before entering the venue. Venues can create vaccinated-only sections with relaxed distancing requirements.
For indoor venues operating at 15% capacity or less, with no more than 200 people, proof of vaccination or a negative test may not be required. Outdoor ticketed venues may expand capacity up to 50%.
âSan Francisco is continuing to reopen and this latest round of activities and events that can start to resume is an exciting step for our city,â said Mayor London Breed in a statement Wednesday. âThroughout our response to COVID-19 and our reopening efforts, weâve focused on moving forward in a way that protects public health, and weâre going to need everyone to keep doing their part to keep our community safe.”
San Francisco’s expanded reopenings largely follow the state’s updated guidance for activities permitted under the orange tier.
The city will also allow meetings, conventions and other private events with up to 150 participants indoors and up to 300 people outdoors, as long as safety requirements have been met.
The updated health order also loosens some restrictions on indoor and outdoor social gatherings, indoor and outdoor dining, recreation and hotels.
Community centers serving seniors and adult day care will also be able to reopen to 25% capacity beginning Thursday.
In a statement, the city said it will post the full updated directive on its website later on Wednesday.
â Peter Arcuni
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