Outdoor Dining Can Resume In Alameda County, State Says

ALAMEDA COUNTY, CA — State health officials gave Alameda County the OK to resume outdoor dining on Wednesday.

The Stage 2 variance, which allows Alameda County to move further into the second step of the state's four-tiered reopening plan, means that the Oakland Zoo may also reopen for outdoor activities. The news comes a day after the Alameda County Board of Supervisors voted to support the Stage 2 variance attestation that county public health officials submitted to state officials.

Berkeley, which operates its own health department, received a separate Stage 2 variance.

Alameda County announced Friday night that the state ordered outdoor dining to close locally since the county had not obtained a Stage 2 variance. Many residents were outraged. Oakland, Hayward, Livermore, Dublin and Pleasanton balked at enforcing the rules over the weekend, despite warning that state strike teams could show up to enforce the rules.

Wednesday also marked Alameda County's third day on the state's monitoring list, meaning state health officials are actively monitoring local COVID-19 data and will offer targeted resources in hopes of helping the county bounce back. Data indicate that Alameda County is seeing increased transmission rates of the coronavirus, the county said previously.

Because Alameda County is on the monitoring list, indoor malls must close. Worship houses cannot hold indoor services, though outdoor services are allowed. These changes are in effect for at least three weeks.

The county said it will not reopen any further as it remains on the monitoring list.

Alameda County encouraged residents to do their part to slow the spread of the virus by staying home, wearing a face covering outside of home, staying six feet away from others, and washing or sanitizing hands often. Employers should have a plan to ensure their workplaces are safe.

There are 8,478 cases of the coronavirus in Alameda County and 154 deaths have been linked to COVID-19. That's an increase of 157 cases and two deaths since Tuesday.

Here is a breakdown of cases by city:

• Alameda: 133
• Albany: 23
• Berkeley: 291
• Castro Valley: 245
• Dublin: 88
• Eden Area MAC (Ashland, Cherryland, Hayward Acres, San Lorenzo): 508
• Emeryville: 38
• Fairview: 75
• Fremont: 435
• Hayward: 1292
• Livermore: 336
• Newark: 213
• Oakland: 3259
• Piedmont: 18
• Pleasanton: 170
• San Leandro: 429
• Sunol: <10
• Union City: 264

The homeless, jail inmates, and some other cases are separate, so the above numbers will not add up to 8,478.

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Effective Today, @AlamedaCounty Variance Approved: Outdoor Dining and Outdoor Operations of Oakland Zoo Now Allowed; Alameda County Remains on State Monitoring List: Indoor Worship Services and Indoor Malls are Required to Close pic.twitter.com/Ngo4ho0fD2
— Alameda County Public Health Department (@Dare2BWell) July 15, 2020