Anger Mounts Over Bay Area’s Piecemeal Coronavirus Approach

BAY AREA, CA — Months after Bay Area counties earned praise for teaming up to fight the coronavirus as a single unit, that partnership has frayed, as anger has grown in the region over the divergent approaches that different counties are now taking as they work to reopen.

The inconsistency across the region has sown confusion among residents, business owners and elected officials, the Mercury News reported. It's something of a fall from grace for the region, which made waves in March when six county health officers jointly issued the nation's first shelter-in-place order.

Now, restaurant dining — perhaps the most visible symbol of a reopened economy — is allowed indoors in San Mateo County, while Alameda County banned even outdoor dining in a late-night announcement Friday, saying a new state guidance necessitated the rule change.

That step was met with pushback by at least five cities, who said this weekend they were proceeding with outdoor dining plans in the face of the county’s order.

"This latest information from the county is confusing and contradicts the previous Alameda County Health Officer Order allowing outdoor dining,” Oakland City Administrator said in a statement.

Meanwhile, Contra Costa County officials said this weekend that outdoor restaurant customers would be required to wear masks at all times except for when they’re putting food into their mouths — even as the county allows hair salons and other indoor businesses to stay open for customers.

Union City Mayor Carol Dutra-Vernaci told the Mercury News the varying rules are problematic, since so many Bay Area residents cross county lines each day.

“It is frustrating and a concern,” Dutra-Vernaci said.

The discrepancies have taken a toll on some local institutions: the San Francisco Zoo is preparing to reopen, whereas the Oakland Zoo, required to stay shut by Alameda County, is in danger of going bankrupt due to a steep loss in revenue.

Full coronavirus coverage: Coronavirus In California: What To Know