2/23/21 UPDATE: San Mateo County Returns to the State’s Red Tier

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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.

Returning to the red tier allows the following:

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 

English | Español | 中文

COVID-19 Exposure Guidance in the Workplace

English | Español | 中文

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	Industry Guidance	Required Health and Safety Plan Checklist
Biotechnology	Industry Guidance	Required Health and Safety Plan Checklist
Construction	Industry Guidance	Required Health and Safety Plan Checklist
Farms	Industry Guidance	Required Health and Safety Plan Checklist
Manufacturing	Industry Guidance	Required Health and Safety Plan Checklist
Retail	Industry Guidance	Required Health and Safety Plan Checklist
Warehouses	Industry Guidance	Required Health and Safety Plan Checklist
Restaurants	Industry Guidance	Required Health and Safety Plan Checklist
Bars, Breweries, and Distilleries (that do not serve meals)	Industry Guidance	Required Health and Safety Plan Checklist
Wineries and Tasting Rooms (that do not serve meals)	Industry Guidance	Required Health and Safety Plan Checklist
Movie Theaters	Industry Guidance	Required Health and Safety Plan Checklist
Massage, Nail Salons, Body Art	Industry Guidance	Required Health and Safety Checklist
Hair Salons and Barbershops	Industry Guidance	Required Health and Safety Plan Checklist
Hotels, Lodging, Short Term Rentals	Industry Guidance	Required Health and Safety Plan Checklist
Campgrounds	Industry Guidance	Template Health and Safety Plan Checklist is not available at this time
Office Buildings	Industry Guidance	Required Health and Safety Plan Checklist

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	Industry Guidance	Required Health and Safety Plan Checklist
Biotechnology	Industry Guidance	Required Health and Safety Plan Checklist
Construction	Industry Guidance	Required Health and Safety Plan Checklist
Family Entertainment Centers	Industry Guidance	Required Health and Safety Plan Checklist
Farms	Industry Guidance	Required Health and Safety Plan Checklist
Fitness/Gyms	Industry Guidance	Required Health and Safety Plan Checklist
Manufacturing	Industry Guidance	Required Health and Safety Plan Checklist
Retail	Industry Guidance	Required Health and Safety Plan Checklist
Shopping Centers	Industry Guidance	Required Health and Safety Plan Checklist
Warehouses	Industry Guidance	Required Health and Safety Plan Checklist
Movie Theaters	Industry Guidance	Required Health and Safety Plan Checklist
Massage, Nail Salons, Body Art	Industry Guidance	Required Health and Safety Plan Checklist
Hair Salons and Barbershops	Industry Guidance	Required Health and Safety Plan Checklist
Delivery Services	Industry Guidance	Required Health and Safety Plan Checklist
Limited Services that do not require close customer contact (auto repair, car wash, dog grooming)	Industry Guidance	Required Health and Safety Plan Checklist
Office Workspaces	Industry Guidance	Required Health and Safety Plan Checklist

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