Citing Uptick in Cases, SF to Pause Some Reopening Plans
Due to an increase in hospitalizations, SF hit the pause button on some reopening plans that were scheduled for Nov. 3
Restaurants, museums, movie theaters and other venues must remain at limited capacity, and reopening of indoor pools, locker rooms and other indoor venues is on hold
COVID-19 hospitalizations jumped from a low of 21 to 37 in recent days, the City said
Just days after moving into California's "yellow" risk tier, San Francisco officials are dialing back some previously scheduled reopening plans due to a recent uptick in cases and hospitalizations.
As of two weeks ago, there were 21 patients hospitalized with COVID-19 in San Francisco alongside a positivity rate of less than 1%. By Oct. 28, the most recent available data from the Department of Public Health, the number of hospitalized patients had climbed to 37.
As a result, the City will pause some of the reopening plans it announced just ten days ago.
Indoor pools, locker rooms and other indoor venues had been scheduled to reopen on Nov. 3, but those plans are now on hold. Indoor restaurants, museums, movie theaters and other cultural venues, were permitted to reopen at 50% capacity under the prior timeline, must remain at 25% maximum capacity for the time being.
Schools will be permitted to continue with reopening plans, along with small film productions, real estate showings and outdoor performances, all with safety precautions.
“Our goal has always been to respond quickly and carefully, watch the data closely, and make decisions based on the data, science, and facts,” said Dr. Grant Colfax, San Francisco's Director of Health. “The data is, once again, telling us to pause and to extend the time before we reopen the next phase of indoor activities.”
The City will continue to monitor public health metrics and guidance from the state in determining how quickly to move forward with reopening, DPH said.
