COVID-19 Requirements & Resources
2/23/21 UPDATE: San Mateo County Returns to the State’s Red Tier
The State of California’s plan called the Blueprint for a Safer Economy aims to reduce COVID-19. Each county falls into one of four color tiers – purple (widespread), red (substantial), orange (moderate), and yellow (minimal) based on the prevalence of COVID-19. The colors indicate how industry sectors can operate.
As of February 24, 2021 (at 12:01 a.m.), San Mateo County moves to the less restrictive red tier. This means that unless indicated in the San Mateo County Health Order, businesses and activities operate under the red tier.
Please review the Blueprint Activities and Business Tiers document to understand which activities and businesses are open in the four tiers.
Important Note: Tier assignments may occur any day of the week and may occur more than once a week. Please carefully review what activities and businesses are allowed under San Mateo County’s current assigned tier and keep alert for tier changes.
All Retail (including critical infrastructure, except standalone grocers) |
Open indoors with modifications allowing a 50% maximum capacity |
Shopping Centers (malls, destination centers, swap meets) | Open indoors with modifications at 50% maximum capacity with closed common areas and reduced capacity for food courts (see restaurants) |
Personal Care Services (nail salons, massage, body art, etc.) | Open indoors with modifications |
Museums, Zoos, and Aquariums |
Open indoors with modifications allowing a 25% maximum capacity |
Movie Theaters |
Open indoors with modifications allowing a 25% maximum capacity or 100 people, whichever is fewer |
Hotels and Lodging |
Open with modifications allowing fitness centers at 10% capacity Indoor pools, hot tubs, saunas, and steam rooms must remain closed |
Gyms and Fitness Centers |
Open indoors with modifications allowing a maximum 10% capacity Climbing walls to open |
Restaurants |
Open indoors with modifications allowing a maximum 25% capacity or 100 people, whichever is fewer Takeout and delivery open with modifications |
Wineries |
Outdoor only with modifications |
Bars, Breweries, and Distilleries |
If no meals provided – must close If meals provided – follow restaurants guidelines |
Family Entertainment Centers |
Outdoor only with modifications e.g. kart racing, mini golf, and batting cages |
For more information on San Mateo County’s return to the State’s red tier, read the County’s February 23, 2021 press release.
9/21/20: Blueprint for Safer Economy – New Plan with Revised Criteria for Activities and Businesses
The State of California has a new plan called the Blueprint for a Safer Economy for reducing COVID-19 with revised criteria on tightening and loosening activities to assess how movement affects the trajectory of the disease. Each County falls into one of four color tiers – purple (widespread) red (substantial), orange (moderate), and yellow (minimal) based on the prevalence of COVID-19. The colors indicate how sectors can operate.
Please review the Blueprint Activities and Business Tiers document to understand which activities and businesses are open in the four tiers.
To find out the status of activities and businesses in San Mateo County, please click here.
Document Display Requirements for Businesses
Businesses operating in San Mateo County must complete, post, and share the first three documents with employees and customers at all entrances. The Health and Safety Plan listed below must be shared with and posted for employees.
For assistance on how to ensure your business is in compliance with COVID-19 safety requirements:
Watch a Video: English | Español | 中文
View PowerPoint Slides: English | Español | 中文
1) Self-Certification Placard – Post this placard at all public entrances, list your local law enforcement agency in the department fields of this document, and include the Point of Contact information for the business.
2) Social Distancing Protocol: Health Officer Order Appendix A
- English | Español | 中文 | Tagalog - Use this form or post similar content.
3) Health and Safety Signage English | Español | 中文 – Post these signs or a sign with equivalent information that lists all COVID-19 symptoms, 6-foot social distancing, sneeze and cough etiquette, physical contact etiquette, and face-covering requirement at every public entrance.
4) Health and Safety Plan - Refer to your business type below for industry-specific guidance materials. Develop a Health & Safety Plan (or complete an industry-specific Checklist), share with, and post for all personnel. If you are not regulated by Environmental Health Services, visit covid19.ca.gov for industry-specific guidance resources, the “Other Businesses” tab below, or contact the State agency that regulates your business.
Frequently Asked Questions for Businesses
COVID-19 Exposure Guidance in the Workplace
Food Facilities
- Alcohol Beverage Control Orders Regarding Licensed Premises Closures
- California Alcoholic Beverage Control FAQs
- Alcohol Beverage Sale Guidance English | Español | 中文
- Temporary Outdoor Dining Structure Guidance English | Español | 中文
- Restaurants: Industry Guidance | Checklist
- Wineries and Tasting Rooms (that do not serve meals): Industry Guidance | Checklist
- Bars, Breweries and Distilleries (that do not serve meals): Industry Guidance | Checklist
- Restaurant Dining Requirements English | Español | 中文
- City Point of Contact List
- Dine-In Checklist English | Español | 中文
- Additional food safety program resources
Expanded Personal Care Services (Body Art, Nails, Massage, Skin Care)
- Expanded Personal Care Services: Industry Guidance and Checklist (includes massage, nail salons, and tattoo businesses)
- Board of Barbering and Cosmetology’s COVID-19 Safety Checklist English | Español | 中文 | Vietnamese
- Board of Barbering and Cosmetology’s website
- Additional Body Art Program documents and resources
- Additional Massage Program documents and resources
- Additional Healthy Nail Salon Program documents and resources
Housing
- Campgrounds, RV Parks, and Outdoor Recreation: Industry Guidance
- Fitness Facilities: Industry Guidance | Checklist
- Hotels, Lodging, and Short Term Rentals: Industry Guidance | Checklist
- Cleaning Protocols for Vacated Rooms: English | Español | 中文
- Additional Housing Program documents and resources
Pools
- Are Swimming Pools Open?
- Campgrounds, RV Parks, and Outdoor Recreation: Industry Guidance
- Fitness Facilities: Industry Guidance | Checklist
- Hotels, Lodging, and Short Term Rentals: Industry Guidance | Checklist
- COVID-19 Pool Opening Guidelines
- Pools COVID-19 Sign
- Attendance Record and Checklist
- Sample Health and Safety Guidelines for Public Swimming Pools
- Pool Service Company Maintenance and Owners Checklist
- Additional Pool Program documents and resources
Hazardous Materials (CUPA)
If you own or manage a business with onsite personnel or customers, you are required to follow the industry-specific guidance and develop a Health and Safety Plan (or use the appropriate Checklist). This requirement also applies to public sector facilities. The Health and Safety Plan or equivalent Checklist (found below) must be shared and posted where it is readily visible to all personnel.
Industry Type |
Link to Industry Guidance |
Link to Health and Safety Plan Checklist |
Auto Dealers |
||
Biotechnology |
||
Construction |
||
Farms |
||
Manufacturing |
||
Retail |
||
Warehouses |
||
Restaurants |
||
Bars, Breweries, and Distilleries (that do not serve meals) |
||
Wineries and Tasting Rooms (that do not serve meals) |
||
Movie Theaters |
||
Massage, Nail Salons, Body Art |
||
Hair Salons and Barbershops |
||
Hotels, Lodging, Short Term Rentals |
||
Campgrounds |
Template Health and Safety Plan Checklist is not available at this time |
|
Office Buildings | Industry Guidance |
Additional CUPA Program documents and resources.
Medical Waste
Industry Type |
Link to Industry Guidance |
Link to Health and Safety Plan Checklist |
Biotechnology | Industry Guidance | Required Health and Safety Plan Checklist |
Manufacturing | Industry Guidance | Required Health and Safety Plan Checklist |
Warehouses | Industry Guidance | Required Health and Safety Plan Checklist |
- Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) Expanded Emergency Declaration – FAQs
- Additional Medical Waste Program documents and resources.
Land Use, Septic and Drilling
- Construction: Industry Guidance | Checklist
- Additional Land Use, Septic, and Drilling documents and resources
Backflow Testing
- Limited Services: Guidance | Checklist
- Additional Cross Connection Program documents and resources
Solid Waste
Industry Type | Industry Guidance |
Link to Health and Safety Plan Checklist |
Manufacturing | Industry Guidance | Required Health and Safety Plan Checklist |
Warehouses | Industry Guidance | Required Health and Safety Plan Checklist |
- Resource Recovery Coalition of California COVID-19 Virus Guidance
- Solid Waste Industry of North America (SWANA) Guidance
- California Resource Recovery Association (CRRA) – COVID-19 Webpage
- Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries (ISRI) Member Alert – Resources for Preventing the Spread of Coronavirus
- Department of Health Services – Guidance on the Essential Critical Infrastructure Workforce (Public Works Section)
- Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) Expanded Emergency Declaration – FAQs (specific to haulers of household waste)
- US Composting Council – COVID-19 Response Resources
- Institute for Local Self-Reliance: COVID-19 Resources for Composters & Food Scrap Collectors
- Additional Solid Waste Program documents and resources.
Other Businesses
Any business that is NOT regulated by San Mateo County Environmental Health Services must contact the agency that regulates them for industry-specific guidance or visit covid19.ca.gov.
If you own or manage a business and have onsite personnel or customers, you are required to follow industry-specific guidance and complete a Health and Safety Plan. An industry-specific checklist may be available here or on the State’s website that will serve as the Health and Safety Plan. This requirement also applies to public sector facilities. The Health and Safety Plan (or Checklists) must be shared and posted where it is readily visible to all personnel.
Industry Type |
Link to Industry Guidance |
Link to Health and Safety Plan Checklist |
Auto Dealers |
||
Biotechnology |
||
Construction |
||
Family Entertainment Centers |
||
Farms |
||
Fitness/Gyms |
||
Manufacturing |
||
Retail |
||
Shopping Centers |
||
Warehouses |
||
Movie Theaters |
||
Massage, Nail Salons, Body Art |
||
Hair Salons and Barbershops |
||
Delivery Services |
||
Limited Services that do not require close customer contact (auto repair, car wash, dog grooming) |
||
Office Workspaces |
ADDITIONAL RESOURCE LINKS:
- CalOSHA and Statewide Industry Guidance on COVID-19
- Board of Barbering and Cosmetology’s website
- For additional resources please visit the various Environmental Health Services Program pages:
Body Art CUPA Food Housing Massage Pools
Office Hours & Services
The office is open Monday – Friday from 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. by appointment only until further notice.
LIMITED SERVICES* INCLUDE:
- Pickup/drop off plans
- Purchase backflow tags
(Backflow tags may still be purchased via phone and left in a labeled envelope outside suite 100 for pick up on Mondays and Fridays.) - Drop off applications
- Mobile food registration renewals
- Fee payments
*On-site, in-person consultations are not being scheduled at this time.
PHONE HOURS:
(650) 372-6200
Monday – Friday | 8:00 AM to 5 PM
ONLINE RESOURCES:
- Pay your invoice online
- Submit an online complaint
- Submit a COVID-19 Business Compliance Complaint