New Shelter In Place Orders For Six Bay Area Counties and the City of Berkeley: Essential Businesses Must Implement And Post Social Distancing Protocols Immediately

On March 31, 2020, seven Bay Area jurisdictions – the City and County of San Francisco, Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, San Mateo, and Santa Clara Counties, and the City of Berkeley put in place New shelter in place orders which replace the prior orders and impose further restrictions on businesses and individuals.  Some of the important changes for businesses are:

• Shelter in Place Orders are now extended through May 3, 2020.
• The new orders further restrict the categories of businesses that may operate as “Essential Businesses,” in particular in the construction industry.
• Those who do operate “Essential Businesses” must post and implement – by 11:59 pm on April 2, 2020 – a “Social Distancing Protocol.”  The protocol must be:
  • substantially like the sample attached to the orders;
  • posted at or near the entrance of the relevant facility;
  • easily viewable by the public and employees; and
  • provided to each employee performing work at the facility.

Other counties have extended their current orders.  All employers should continually monitor local public health department websites for updates.  A link to San Francisco’s Order is here.

If you have questions or concerns related to the COVID-19 crisis and your workforce or any other employment matter, we are here to help.

Last updated March 31, 2020.  For new information regarding these orders, please click here.