WE ARE REOPENED AND READY FOR YOUR VISIT - WE'VE MISSED YOU!
As the San Francisco Bay Area continues to move forward in the reopening process, the safety and security of our residents and visitors remain our top priority. Local hotels, restaurants, attractions, and other businesses in San Mateo County and Palo Alto understand the importance of following commercial sanitation and safety protocols, and all have been working extremely hard in order to reach these goals.
As a destination, we are committed to continuing to work closely with local government agencies to stay informed and in compliance with all health and safety orders to prevent the spread of this disease. In addition, local businesses have begun a pledge to be "Reopened & Ready" and promise to take every precaution to keep visitors safe and healthy as we move through the phases of reopening in our region.
Together, we're committed to be "Reopened & Ready" to welcome YOU back!
Current Status - San Mateo and Santa Clara Counties
On August 28, the State of California announced its new blueprint for reducing COVID-19 in the state with revised criteria for loosening and tightening restrictions on activities. Now, every county in California is assigned to a tier based on its rate of new cases and positivity. At a minimum, counties must remain in a tier for at least 3 weeks before moving forward. Data is reviewed weekly and tiers are updated on Tuesdays. To move forward, a county must meet the next tier’s criteria for two consecutive weeks. If a county’s metrics worsen for two consecutive weeks, it will be assigned a more restrictive tier. Public health officials are constantly monitoring data and can step in if necessary.
As of September 22, the County of San Mateo is assigned under the Substantial (red) tier, which allows more businesses to reopen under the State's framework such as restaurants for indoor dining at 25% capacity, indoor museums, zoos, aquariums at 25% capacity, shopping malls at 50% capacity, indoor personal care services, and indoor gyms and fitness centers at 10% capacity.
Meanwhile, as of September 8, the County of Santa Clara is also assigned under the Substantial (red) tier, which allows the same business listed above to reopen except for indoor dining. Although indoor dining is allowed per the State's framework, the County of Santa Clara has mandated indoor dining to not be allowed as of right now.
Visit the State of California's website to learn more about California's Blueprint for a Safer Economy.
What's Open for Business?
- Hotels (for tourism and individual travel)
- Restaurants (for indoor dining at 25% capacity, outdoor seating, takeout, and delivery)
- Retail & Shopping Malls (open indoors at 50% capacity)
- Beaches
- Parks (limited parking, some restrictions – check in advance)
- Golf Courses
- Wineries and Tasting Rooms (outdoors only)
- Zoos, aquariums, and museums (open indoors at 25% capacity)
- Pillar Point Harbor (except picnic areas, including barbecues and picnic tables)
- Pacifica Pier
- Farmers' Markets
- BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit), PDF link: BART Safety Measures
- San Francisco International Airport and San Jose International Airport
- Campgrounds & Outdoor Recreation
- Hair salons and barbershops (open indoors with modifications)
- Nail salons and waxing centers (open indoors with modifications)
- Worship services (open indoors at 25% capacity or 100 people, whichever is fewer)
- Libraries (max of 50% capacity)
- Movie Theatres (open indoors at 25% capacity or 100 people, whichever is fewer)
- Gyms, fitness centers , and yoga studios (open indoors at 10% capacity)
- Cardrooms (outdoors only)
- Grocery Stores (max of 50% capacity)
- Essential Businesses (gas stations, banks, hospitals, etc.)
For more information:
Blueprint for a Safer Economy (State of California)
Stay at Home Q&A (State of California)
San Mateo County Health Services
Santa Clara County Public Health
Our "Reopened & Ready" Pledge
The San Mateo County/Silicon Valley region is known for its resilience and innovative ways to succeed and continue to move forward. As we continue to move forward with our reopening, local businesses are pledging to take every precaution to keep YOU safe and healthy while visiting our destination.
As San Mateo County & Silicon Valley business partners, we PLEDGE to:
- Use face coverings.
- Ensure hand sanitizer is readily available.
- Practice and encourage physical distancing.
- Follow CDC cleaning protocols.
- Continuously innovate to reduce touch points.
- Provide our staff with COVID-19 awareness training.
We are proud that more and more San Mateo County and Silicon Valley businesses are taking the "Reopened & Ready" pledge, with more joining daily. See the full list of participating businesses below.
