Retail, Manufacturing, More Openings: New Bay Area Health Order

BAY AREA — Two full months after businesses were shut down by a joint order from the health departments of six Bay Area counties and the City of Berkeley, the health officers of all but one county released a new order on Monday "that allows retail establishments to offer storefront pick-up, and also allows the manufacturing, warehousing, and logistical operations that support retail to resume."

The order came from Alameda, Contra Costa, San Francisco, Santa Clara, and Marin counties, and Berkeley, which has its own health department, but San Mateo County did not sign the joint statement. Three of the counties — San Francisco, San Mateo and Marin — had already broken away and begun reopening on Monday.

According to the statement, the reopening is possible because coronavirus indicators are moving in a positive direction:

• The trend of new cases of COVID-19 has been stable or decreasing, even with increased testing
• The number of hospitalized patients with COVID-19 is stable or declining, and hospital capacity is sufficient for both COVID-19 patients and other patients who need hospital care
• More COVID-19 tests are being performed in our region each day
• Hospitals are reporting improved supply of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), though shortages continue in certain healthcare settings
• There is increased capacity for case investigation and contact tracing

While the reopening has been authorized, businesses have been advised to continue social distancing, and residents are still asked to wear face masks and required to stay home as much as possible.

Alameda County simultaneously announced plans to allow car-based gatherings.

Full coronavirus coverage: Coronavirus In California: What To Know

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