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Most Shops in SF Can Reopen Starting Monday at 10am

More than 90% of SF’s retail will be allowed to reopen on Monday for storefront pickup & delivery
By - posted 5/17/2020 No Comment

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As long as COVID-19 indicators in San Francisco continue to demonstrate progress on slowing the spread of the virus, retail businesses will be able to operate for storefront pickup and delivery starting on Monday, May 18.

Update: Small businesses say SF’s new curbside sales won’t change much – Read more on SF Chronicle

Mayor London N. Breed and Director of Health Dr. Grant Colfax on Thursday announced the next step in the City’s measured plan to safely reopen San Francisco by releasing guidelines for businesses in the city that are eligible for curbside or storefront pickup.

As long as San Francisco continues making progress on reducing the spread of COVID-19, the City will amend the Stay Home Order that was issued on April 29th to allow most retail businesses to resume operations with storefront pickup starting 10:00 a.m. on Monday, May 18th.

Key requirements of the current Health Order remain in place, including requirements to stay home except for essential needs and certain permitted activities, including outdoor businesses and activities. Additionally, San Franciscans must continue to follow social distance requirements and wear face coverings when waiting in line for pickup or inside of businesses.

SF’s Retail Reopening Rules – Starting May 18th

Any retail store in San Francisco that faces the street may operate under the following conditions:

  • Storefront, curbside, or outside pickup only.
  • Customers may not enter the store.
  • Stores must have clear access to a sidewalk, street, parking lot, or alley to use for pickup
  • Location may have no more than 10 employees on site at once, to handle curbside pickup
  • Retail store may not be in an enclosed shopping center, unless the business has its own exterior door

The city estimates the new rules cover more than 90% of retailers in San Francisco. Read the full rules

Need additional loading zones? Businesses can request a free temporary loading zone for their business from SFMTA. Businesses can request that the street parking outside the entrance to their store be converted to a temporary loading zone to help encourage physical distancing and reduce crowding.

Before a business can open, they must prepare, post, implement, and distribute a social distancing protocol for each of their facilities, and a written health and safety plan that addresses all applicable best practices that are detailed in the relevant Health Officer directives.

Learn More: SF.gov/curbside

Manufacturers/Warehouse Reopening Rules – Starting May 18th

In addition to retail stores, certain manufacturers, warehouses, and logistical businesses will be allowed to open. Businesses that manufacture the goods sold at retail stores covered above and have no more than 50 personnel on site in the facility at any time will be allowed to operate. Businesses that provide warehousing and logistical support to the retail stores covered above and have no more than 50 personnel on site in the facility at any time will also be allowed to operate. They will also need to abide by State guidelines for safety during this pandemic.

This announcement builds on the April 29th extension of the Stay Home Order, which allows additional businesses, including construction and outdoor businesses, to resume safely, with health and safety precautions in place. The type and frequency of contact between people is relatively low when done outdoors as curbside pickup. Businesses that involve outdoor interactions carry a lower risk of transmission than most indoor businesses, and curbside pickup at these stores should result in only a relatively modest increase in the number of people moving about and entering facilities.