Yesterday, the San Francisco Department of Public Health (SFDPH) posted updates to the Health Order and a revised health screening tool in order to align more closely with recent Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and CA Department of Public Health (CDPH) definitions of contact with COVID-19 positive individuals, and quarantine recommendations for those who display symptoms or whom have had close contact with COVID. 
 
The revised Health Order can be found here. Key changes are detailed below:

• More ventilation is now REQUIRED for indoor dining - Very important, some measures must be in place by November 17th in order for you to keep doing indoor dining, even at 25% capacity!
• New sign to be posted in break rooms by 11/10.
• All patrons must wait outdoors.
• Changes in close contact definition - We will have more clarity and FAQs to share on this next week. 

1) More ventilation is now REQUIRED for indoor dining: See requirements for restaurants on pages 15 and 16 here.   

Beginning on November 3, 2020, there is a new requirement the Health Order requires that effective today, restaurants must conspicuously hang this sign at the establishment, including at all primary public entrances indicating which of the ventilation strategies are at use at the facility so that the public can remain informed.

Indoor dining establishments are also now required to enact one of the three ventilation measures below by 11/17 in order for you to keep doing indoor dining, even at 25% capacity.

As soon as possible, but no later than November 17, 2020, the following businesses may only open or remain open to the public if they are using at least one of the following ventilation strategies: 

1. All available windows and doors accessible to fresh outdoor air are kept open (doors and windows required to be kept closed for fire/life safety purposes are exempt; make sure open windows do not create falling hazards especially for children); 
2. Fully operational HVAC systems; 
3. Portable Air Cleaners in each room that are appropriately sized for the room or area they are deployed in (see Ventilation Guidance for more information). 

2)  New Sign to be Posted in Break Room 
 
Beginning on November 10, 2020, all businesses are required to post signs in employee break rooms or areas informing employees that they can report violations of COVID-19 health orders and directives by calling 311 or visiting www.sf.gov/report-health-order-violation. 
 
Signage should also state that the employee’s identity will not be disclosed to the employer. Sample signage will be posted on Friday, November 6th and will be available online at https://sf.gov/outreach-toolkit-coronavirus-covid-19. We will resend an update mid next week with a link to the exact new poster.

You can also find the revised Dining Guidelines, which includes these changes here. 

3) All Patrons Must Wait Outdoors
 
Section 1.2.4 (page 5) was edited to clarify that when patrons are waiting in line for takeout or to be seated for indoor or outdoor dining, they should be waiting outside.

Make sure you still have clear, designated areas/lines with markings on the ground to indicate
minimum six-foot distancing for patrons. This requirement includes marking lines for:

• check-stands, 
• restrooms, 
• and patrons in various service settings, if applicable (e.g. ordering food, take out, and waiting to be seated).

4)  Changes in close contact definition - more info coming soon!

As mentioned above, the City is aligning more closely with recent CDC and CDPH definitions of contact with COVID-19 positive individuals, and quarantine recommendations for those who display symptoms or whom have had close contact with COVID. 
 
We are working with SFDPH to get some FAQs and more clarity on what steps you as an employer should take should one of your staff test positive. 
 
You can find a downloadable copy of the screening handout for personnel and non-personnel visit: www.sfcdcp.org/screen. We will have more clarity and FAQs to share on this next week. 
 
If you have any questions in the meantime, each out to laurie@ggra.org or chhavi@ggra.org. Thanks for your patience!