SF TECH
COVID-19
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COVID-19 Update from the SF Tech Community

Tech Updates | San Francisco Updates | California Updates | Thanking Our COVID-19 Heroes

Call to Action: Request from the City of San Francisco

The City and County of San Francisco welcomes your support for the Give2SF COVID-19 Response and Recovery Fund. To make a tax-deductible monetary gift or for general information, please visit Give2SF.org or email Give2SF@sfgov.org.

COVID-19 Vaccine Latest Report*

82.1 percent of Californians who are fully vaccinated
54.5 percent of Californians who are boosted
86 percent of San Franciscans who are fully vaccinated

*As of 9:00 am PT on 2/7

COVID-19 VACCINE SUPPORT FROM THE TECH COMMUNITY

Almost a year after COVID-19 was declared a pandemic, the tech industry once again stepped up to assist governments with the COVID-19 vaccine roll-out. We’ve highlighted a few of the standout tech companies (and sf.citi members) working on COVID-19 vaccine distribution below.

Facebook announced that it’s partnering with Ravenswood Family Health Network to host a COVID-19 vaccination site at its Menlo Park headquarters. The company is also partnering with nonprofits across California to support other pop-up clinics, aiming to help up to 10,000 people get vaccinated. Furthermore, Facebook is using its platform to connect people with state-specific information from local health departments about COVID-19 vaccines and how people can get vaccinated.
Google is providing over $150 million to promote vaccine education and equitable distribution. The company will also begin showing state and regional COVID-19 vaccine distribution information on Search.
Lyft has partnered with Anthem, JPMorgan Chase, and United Way to launch a COVID-19 vaccine access campaign. Lyft aims to provide 60 million rides to and from vaccination sites for low-income, uninsured, and at-risk communities.
Microsoft is using its technology and partnerships with public- and private-sector organizations to support the distribution of COVID-19 vaccines in an efficient, equitable, and safe manner.
Salesforce, in partnership with Accenture and Skedulo, developed the software powering California’s vaccination eligibility site, My Turn. Not only does it allow Californians to learn when they’re eligible to get vaccinated, My Turn also tracks vaccination data. It’s expected to operate in all of California in early February.
Twitter announced that it will apply labels to Tweets that may contain misleading information about COVID-19 vaccines. The company is also introducing a strike system to determine when additional enforcement action is necessary and further reduce the spread of potentially harmful and misleading information.
Uber partnered with Walgreens to help drive equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines among underserved communities. The company is developing educational programs with community leaders and organizations, as well as providing free transportation to Walgreens vaccine clinics among vulnerable communities.

COVID-19 TECH RESOURCES

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, many sf.citi members took leadership on developing their own policies and strategies to mitigate the impact of the coronavirus on their employees, customers, and the general public.

$17.7M
contributed by sf.citi members to Give2SF

sf.citi joined 125 pro-startup local, state, regional, and national groups in calling upon the Trump Administration to ensure startups can access emergency relief under the CARES Act.

28
COVID-19 resources and initiatives from sf.citi members

Full list of COVID-19 tech resources and initiatives

Airbnb offered free global cancellations and refunds to those traveling in areas affected by COVID-19. The extenuating circumstances policy will apply for travel from March 14–April 14. Airbnb also announced it would provide free and subsidized housing for 100,000 healthcare professionals, relief workers, and first responders working to combat COVID-19.
Alaska Airlines worked to utilize passenger cabin space for additional cargo storage on five Boeing 737-900 aircrafts. Turning passenger aircrafts into freighters will allow each flight to carry up to 30,000 pounds of critical cargo, including medical supplies and perishable food needed as part of the nationwide COVID-19 response. The passenger-to-freighter operation will also help backfill cargo capacity in areas where flights have been significantly reduced. Alaska Airlines also has taken nearly 100 steps to keep customers safe and healthy while traveling during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Amazon actively monitored and removed tens of thousands of accounts engaging in price gouging practices related to the COVID-19 outbreak. The company also established an Amazon Relief Fund for Amazon partners and delivery drivers experiencing financial hardship.
AT&T committed not to terminate the service of any wireless, home phone, or broadband residential or small business customers unable to pay their bill due to disruptions caused by COVID-19. For a limited time, the company also waived late payment fees incurred because of the COVID-19 pandemic and kept public Wi-Fi hotspots open for any American who needed them. At the end of March, AT&T created a $10 Million Fund to support distance learning platforms, such as Khan Academy, and facilitate at-home learning for parents, students and teachers. In April, AT&T announced it would provide three months of free wireless service to COVID-19 frontline health care workers through its FirstNet network. Nurses and doctors already on a FirstNet plan automatically received the three-month service credit on a smartphone or tablet line of service.
Comcast provided free Xfinity hotspots, unlimited data, and no disconnects or late fees for all customers experiencing hardship for three months. Comcast also offered a free Internet Essentials internet plan for all new customers for 60 days. Comcast Business, meanwhile, launched a free webinar series to help businesses, of all sizes and across all industries, navigate the COVID-19 pandemic. Topics include connectivity, remote learning, and cyber security.
Cruise Co-Founders Kyle Vogt and Daniel Kan, as well as Cruise employees, committed up to $300,000 toward COVID-19 efforts, including to San Francisco’s recovery and response fund, Give2SF. Cruise also partnered with the San Francisco-Marin Food Bank and SF New Deal to help deliver food to San Francisco communities affected by COVID-19. The self-driving car company used a portion of its all-electric, autonomous fleet to deliver over 110,000 groceries and meals.
Dropbox invited nonprofits and NGOs focused on fighting COVID-19 to apply for a free, three-month subscription to Dropbox Business. Dropbox also provided free Dropbox and HelloSign subscriptions for a three-month period to assist K-12 teachers with distance learning.
Facebook created a free Business Resource Hub with resources for businesses struggling to navigate the COVID-19 outbreak. As part of these efforts, Facebook offered $100M in cash grants and ad credits for up to 30,000 eligible small businesses. Facebook also provided over $2 million in grants to the Information Technology Disaster Resource Center (ITDRC) and NetHope to expand internet access to communities affected by COVID-19 with limited connectivity.
Funding Circle was approved by the Small Business Administration (SBA) to provide COVID-19 emergency loans to small businesses through the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). Funding Circle granted loans as low as $10,000, operating in 49 states, offering multi-language support.
Goodcover provided free renters insurance for COVID-19 medical responders through 2020.
Google offered free access to its advanced Hangouts Meet video-conferencing capabilities for all G Suite and G Suite for Education customers globally. Google also took steps to ensure continued service while reducing the need for people to come into its offices, as well as compensating workers affected by the reduced schedules. Furthermore, Google launched a Teach from Home resource hub to help educators continue teaching their students amid the COVID-19 pandemic. And on April 1, Google CEO Sundar Pichai announced a partnership with the State of California to provide 4,000 Chromebooks to California students in greatest need, as well as free wifi to 100,000 rural households during the COVID-19 crisis.
Google.org added another $50 million to its COVID-19 response donations, totaling a staggering $100 million. The funds were used to provide cash grants to those in need (including Bay Area families enrolled in food assistance) through GiveDirectly, partner with the Opportunity Finance Network to help women- and minority-led businesses, and support distance learning efforts. The nonprofit arm of Google also committed 50,000 hours from Google employees to assist with coronavirus-related initiatives.
Instacart launched the #GiveFromtheCart Challenge to support Feeding America and fight hunger in the wake of COVID-19. The company matched donations, up to 1 million meals, through August 14, 2020. To address the pandemic-induced spike in food insecurity, Instacart also launched EBT SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) on its platform in partnership with ALDI. Instacart users were able to add ALDI’s EBT SNAP-eligible items to their cart and select how much of their benefits they want to allocate to their order before checking out.
Intuit Quickbooks helped administer COVID-19 emergency loans to small businesses through the Small Business Administration’s Paycheck Protection Program.
LinkedIn helped hospitals, nonprofits working on COVID-19 relief, and essential services source the talent they need by allowing them to post jobs for free on LinkedIn for three months during the pandemic. The company also expanded its Recruiting for Good platform to deploy LinkedIn’s own recruiters to screen talent for organizations on the front lines of COVID-19. And to help job seekers affected by COVID-19, Linkedin offered 16 LinkedIn Learning courses for free.
Lyft worked to create new opportunities for its fleet of drivers while serving the broader community by expanding delivery and transportation partnerships with healthcare, government, and businesses. Through its LyftUp program, Lyft donated rides to people with essential transportation needs during the COVID-19 pandemic, including families and children, low-income seniors, and doctors and nurses. Take a look at all of Lyft’s COVID-19 initiatives here. In April 2020, Lyft launched Essential Deliveries, a new pilot initiative that allowed governments, nonprofits, and businesses to request on-demand delivery of food, medical supplies, and other basics.
Microsoft announced that it would continue to pay its hourly vendor workers even after the company’s office closure. Furthermore, Microsoft offered its communication and collaboration platform, Microsoft Teams, to educational institutions for free through Office 365 A1. The product provided a free customized hub for class teamwork that includes video meetings. Companies were also able to take advantage of a free six-month Office 365 E1 Trial, including Microsoft Teams, for file sharing and communication tools.
Okta helped organizations transition to Emergency Remote Work by offering Okta core services to all new customers for free. Additionally, Okta’s social impact arm, Okta for Good, committed $150,000 in unrestricted, rapid-response grants and matching funds to Bay Area organizations serving the most vulnerable populations.
Optimizely provided its software for free to nonprofits to optimize online engagement and fundraising. In San Francisco, Optimizely employees raised money for local nonprofits and food banks, donating laptops to low-income families whose children were learning from home, and conducting virtual read-alouds for students at its Circle the School partner, E.R. Taylor Elementary.
Personas compiled a useful list of SaaS discounts for startups struggling to navigate COVID-19. The list includes discounts from companies like Microsoft, Box, Adobe, and hundreds of others.
Postmates introduced a Small Business Relief Pilot allowing new businesses in the San Francisco and Sacramento areas to sign up for the platform and enjoy a temporary waive on commission fees. Postmates also offered no-contact delivery for customers, as well as a relief fund to cover medical expenses for its fleet of delivery workers. In April 2020, Postamtes announced a new childcare and family care relief policy to support Postmates workers during the COVID-19 outbreak. Qualifying Postmates workers were also invited to apply for a stipend, even if they needed to remain at home to take care of a loved one.
Salesforce donated $1.5 million to the Give2SF Fund to help address emergency relief efforts related to the COVID-19 outbreak. Salesforce also issued 500 COVID-19 grants—each amounting to $10,000—to small businesses across the United States. To further support small businesses affected by COVID-19, Salesforce offered free access to its Salesforce Essentials and Tableau services. Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff, meanwhile, teamed up with other companies to raise $25 million and procure more than 50 million pieces of protective equipment for health care workers and medical facilities.
Slack offered nonprofits of any size three months of its messaging service free of charge. Slack also contributed $1 million to the COVID-19 Tech Collaborative—a coalition of 25 Bay Area companies that committed $22 million in collective funding for organizations responding to the COVID-19 crisis.
Twitter joined other major social media platforms in committing to combat fraud and misinformation about COVID-19. The company continued to develop its content moderation policy to “account for new behavior” in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. Twitter also donated $1 million to the Committee to Protect Journalists and the International Women’s Media Foundation.
Uber pledged 10 million free rides and deliveries of food for frontline healthcare workers, seniors, and people in need. This accompanied a package of initiatives to support restaurant partners during the COVID-19 outbreak. In San Francisco, Uber offered a 25 percent discount (up to $10) for trips taken to or from food distribution centers set up by the San Francisco Unified School District. The company also donated $50,000 to the San Francisco Unified School District’s non-profit arm, Spark.
Verizon extended its commitment not to terminate service or charge late fees through June 30, 2020 for customers unable to pay their bills due to disruptions caused by COVID-19. Verizon also tripled the monthly data allowance for its Verizon Innovative Learning schools and committed $10 million to nonprofits supporting students and healthcare workers.
Zendesk donated its customer support software (and training for using the product) to nonprofits impacted by COVID-19. Zendesk also recruited 75 volunteers willing to translate critical COVID-19 communications into a wide range of languages. Finally, the company offered to drive support within Zendesk to help nonprofits purchase the items they need or to fundraise on their behalf.

UPDATES FROM THE CITY OF SAN FRANCISCO

On May 13, Mayor Breed announced that individuals aged 12 and over in San Francisco are eligible to receive a Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine. The Pfizer vaccine is the only vaccine approved for this age group and has proven very effective in studies among teenagers, preventing up to 100 percent of COVID-19 infections.
On May 4, Mayor Breed and Director of Health Dr. Grant Colfax announced that San Francisco will reopen and expand additional activities as the City moved into the yellow tier, the state’s least restrictive COVID-19 tier. San Francisco will expand almost all activities to 50 percent indoor capacity. Where possible, the City will remove limits on the number of people participating in activities and loosen other operating restrictions. Live spectator events, festivals, meetings, receptions, and conventions will see significant expansions as well.
On May 3, Mayor Breed invited restaurants, bars, and other food businesses to apply for grants through the new, federal Restaurant Revitalization Fund. Administered by the Small Business Administration (SBA), the $28.6 billion program will provide eligible businesses with funding equal to their pandemic-related revenue loss in 2020.
On April 30, Mayor Breed announced the launch of San Francisco’s 17th annual Small Business Week, which will take place from Saturday, May 1 to Friday, May 7, 2021. Themed “Roots and Recovery,” this year’s Small Business Week will include resources and information to support small businesses as San Francisco recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic. The week kicked off with the installation of 13 floral butterflies throughout San Francisco’s merchant corridors.
On April 20, Mayor Breed announced that the San Francisco Public Library (SFPL) will begin to reopen for limited indoor service. The first floor of the Main Library will reopen on May 3, followed by the Chinatown/Him Mark Lai Branch Library and Mission Bay Branch Library during the week of May 17. Additional floors at the Main Library and other neighborhood branches will reopen as staffing permits and San Francisco continues to make progress on its COVID-19 recovery.

See more updates

On April 19, Mayor Breed announced the City’s Music and Entertainment Venue Recovery Fund will begin accepting applications for grants of at least $10,000 on April 21, 2021. Established to financially support San Francisco live music and entertainment venues impacted by COVID-19, the $3 million fund is part of a larger small business loans and grants program. Members of the public are also invited to donate to the fund.
On April 15, Mayor Breed announced the opening of a fourth neighborhood COVID-19 vaccine site in San Francisco’s Mission District. Located at the Local 261 Union building at 3271 18th Street, the site is one of three neighborhood vaccination sites opening in the next three weeks as the City increases its efforts to ensure equitable access to the vaccine in highly impacted neighborhoods. The site is operated in partnership with the Latino Task Force.
On April 14, Mayor Breed and Director of Health Dr. Grant Colfax announced that San Francisco will reopen and expand activities allowed for counties assigned to the orange tier, starting April 15. Activities include indoor, live-audience events and performances and private events such as conferences and receptions. San Francisco will also expand the number of individuals allowed to participate in indoor and outdoor social gatherings and will loosen some restrictions on other activities, including dining, outdoor bars, retail, and recreation.
On April 13, Mayor Breed and Director of Health Dr. Grant Colfax announced that all people age 16 and over in San Francisco are eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. Newly eligible people can visit SF.gov/getvaccinated to learn about their options for receiving the vaccine and to schedule appointments at different vaccination sites.
On April 9, Mayor Breed signed legislation to provide $10.9 million in grants and loans for small businesses struggling as a result of COVID-19. The program will prioritize storefront businesses that have received little to no federal or City funding, businesses that have been forced to close for six months or longer due to state and local regulations, long-established businesses, and those in high-need neighborhoods. Grant applications opened on April 9.
On April 8, Mayor Breed and Director of Health Dr. Grant Colfax announced that San Francisco is on track to issue guidelines that allow indoor live events to resume with capacity limits and other safety protocols beginning April 15, 2021. These planned guidelines align with the State’s announcement establishing operating guidelines for indoor live events and performances.
On April 7, Mayor Breed announced the opening of a new neighborhood COVID-19 vaccine site in the Excelsior District. Located at 20 Norton Street, the Excelsior site bolsters San Francisco’s ongoing efforts to ensure that highly impacted neighborhoods have equitable access to the vaccine. Hours of operation are 9:30am to 3:30pm on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, and 12:00pm to 6:00pm on Fridays.
On April 1, Mayor Breed announced that all people aged 50 and over are now eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine in San Francisco. This significant expansion in eligibility comes at a time when nearly half of people in San Francisco aged 16 and over have already received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.
On March 26, Mayor Breed announced that San Francisco will vaccinate up to 1,000 seniors and eligible community members at Chinatown’s largest affordable family housing facility, Ping Yuen. The two-day event at Ping Yuen on April 2 and April 9 aims to increase the vaccination rate among seniors in Chinatown and supports the City’s broader mobile vaccination efforts to reach communities that have been disproportionately affected by COVID-19.
On March 23, Mayor Breed and Director of Health Dr.Grant Colfax announced that San Francisco will resume most businesses and activities as California moves into the orange tier. With some exceptions, San Francisco’s reopening will align with what is permitted by the state. New and expanded businesses and activities can reopen starting Wednesday, March 24, as long as they comply with required safety protocols.
On March 5, Mayor Breed announced a $28 million economic recovery program for workforce development, paid training programs, and job placement and employment services. The Building Back Stronger program aims to expand services for San Francisco workers and jobseekers, address economic inequities and disparities in unemployment and bolster the City’s economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.
On March 2, Mayor Breed announced the reopening of some businesses and activities as San Francisco moves into the State’s red tier. Beginning March 3, San Francisco opened up activities such as indoor dining, indoor fitness, and indoor museums and aquariums. In accordance with State and local limits and guidance from the Director of Health Dr.Grant Colfax, San Francisco will resume most business and activities that are allowed by the State for cities designated to the red tier on California’s statewide reopening plan.
On February 24, Mayor Breed and the San Francisco Human Services Agency (SFHSA) announced a $500 stimulus for lower-wage workers and families. $1.9 million in financial support initiatives will provide up to $500 in local tax credit and cash assistance this tax filing season for families struggling as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, free tax centers are now open at a number of San Francisco neighborhood locations to answer questions and help filers get more money back when applying for local, state, and federal tax credits.
On February 24, San Francisco moved to phase 1B of COVID-19 vaccinations. This phase expands vaccine eligibility to people who live or work in San Francisco in the following sectors: education and childcare, emergency services, and food and agriculture. Healthcare workers and people over 65 are already eligible. However, vaccine doses remain in short supply, and healthcare providers have been advised to prioritize second doses in the coming weeks. As a result, appointments for first vaccine doses are limited, and people who are eligible may not get an appointment right away.
On February 19, Mayor Breed announced that the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) will offer free, roundtrip transportation for people traveling to receive their COVID-19 vaccine. Starting Tuesday, February 23, anyone traveling to receive their vaccination in San Francisco will be able to ride Muni to and from their appointment for free. Passengers will need to show their appointment confirmation (including emails or photos) or vaccine card as “proof of payment.”
On February 16, Mayor Breed announced the opening of a new neighborhood COVID-19 vaccine site at the SF Market in the Bayview. Opened in partnership with Sutter Health, this is the City’s third high-volume vaccination site. Two additional high-volume vaccination sites are located at the Moscone Center and the City College of San Francisco. They serve anyone who meets their eligibility requirements (initially 65 and older and healthcare workers, then expanding to 1B eligibility starting February 24) regardless of healthcare coverage, by appointment only.
On February 9, Mayor Breed and Director of Health Dr. Grant Colfax announced that COVID-19 vaccines will be offered to individuals in Phase 1B, Tier 1 of California’s population prioritization plan for vaccine administration starting February 24. This includes people who work in the education and childcare, emergency services, and food and agriculture sectors. San Francisco will continue to vaccinate healthcare workers and people 65 and older. Eligible individuals sign up for a vaccine appointment here.
On February 4, Mayor Breed announced that a mass COVID-19 vaccination site will open in the Moscone Center and begin service on February 5. Initially, the site will serve health care workers and community members ages 65 and older, by appointment only and in accordance with the State’s prioritization plan. People who are eligible to be vaccinated can sign-up for an appointment here. Anyone who works or lives in San Francisco can sign up to be notified of when they are eligible for vaccination here.
On February 1, Mayor Breed announced the opening of a new neighborhood COVID-19 vaccine site at 24th Street and Capp Street in the Mission District. This is the first of a number of neighborhood vaccination sites that the City will open to ensure equitable vaccine access in heavily impacted areas of the City. It will complement San Francisco’s larger network of vaccination distribution, including high-volume vaccination sites, community clinics, pharmacy partnerships, and mobile vaccination teams.
On January 25, Mayor Breed and Director of Health Dr. Grant Colfax announced that, starting January 28, San Francisco would reopen key sectors allowed by California’s purple tier, with some additional safety precautions. Outdoor dining will resume with tables of no more than two households—up to six people—and spaced a minimum of 6 feet apart. Other activities reopening include indoor or outdoor personal services (except those that require a mask to be removed), outdoor zoos and museums, and small outdoor gatherings. Hotels will also be allowed to resume operations, although San Francisco will continue requiring travelers from outside of the Bay Area to quarantine for 10 days.
On January 22, Mayor Breed authorized the San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to launch a rent relief program for airport concession tenants impacted by COVID-19. The program will allow SFO to modify lease agreements and waive certain rent and fees through an estimated $21.3 million in relief funding, which will be supported through the federal CARES Act.
On January 22, Mayor Breed and Director of Health Dr. Grant Colfax announced the launch of San Francisco’s first mass vaccination site at City College of San Francisco’s main campus. Staffed and operated by the City in partnership with UCSF, this is the first of three mass vaccination sites that will open in San Francisco. The site began operations on January 22 and will continue to adjust its hours of operation based on the vaccine supply.
On January 19, Mayor Breed announced that San Francisco will direct $6 million in unspent health care security ordinance funds to the Right to Recover program. Established in July 2020, the Right to Recover program supports COVID-19-positive San Franciscans who need financial assistance while they isolate and has served approximately 3,200 San Franciscans to date. This latest investment brings the total commitment to the program to $10.9 million.
On January 15, Mayor Breed and San Francisco Director of Health Dr. Grant Colfax announced the City’s plan to create a network of vaccination sites. In partnership with health care providers Kaiser Permanente, UCSF Health, Dignity Health, Sutter Health/California Pacific Medical Center (CPMC), the City will facilitate the quick and efficient delivery of vaccines through mass vaccination sites at the Moscone Center, City College of San Francisco (Main Campus), and the SF Market. Once these vaccination sites are fully operational, the City aims to provide 10,000 vaccine doses per day. The City is also working to develop mobile and pop-up vaccine sites in underserved neighborhoods, as well as coordinating with One Medical, Safeway, and Walgreens to deliver vaccines as doses become available. Starting January 19, people who live and work in San Francisco can sign-up for vaccine notification at sf.gov/vaccinenotify.
On January 14, Mayor Breed announced $25 million in financial assistance for San Francisco’s early care and education programs. Caring for some 10,000 children in San Francisco, these childcare programs have struggled due to COVID-19 and are at risk of closing. As part of the Early Education Economic Recovery Program, licensed and cooperative early care programs in San Francisco can apply for grants of up to $15,000 and interest-free loans up to $50,000.
On January 14, Mayor Breed announced a $62 million plan to provide immediate financial relief for small businesses impacted by COVID-19 through grants and low to zero-interest loans. This latest relief plan complements existing local, state, and federal initiatives and triples the City’s overall support for San Francisco small businesses. $12.4 million will go to the proposed grant program, which will offer grants of $5,000 to $20,000 to small businesses based on the number of employees that each employer had in February 2020. The remaining $50 million will go to the proposed loan program, which will offer small businesses low to zero-interest loans of up to $250,000. More information can be found here.
On January 5, Mayor Breed announced that her legislation to provide $5 million in fee and tax waivers and deferrals for San Francisco businesses passed at the Board of Supervisors. The legislation offers businesses additional time to pay certain business taxes and fees, while waiving the fees of some small businesses that have been particularly hard hit by COVID-19, including entertainment venues and restaurants.
On December 7, Mayor Breed announced three new measures to help San Francisco small businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, especially in light of the new Stay at Home Order. First, the City will extend the deadlines for businesses to pay their annual 2020 and 2021 Unified License Fees, which account for a large majority of the licensing fees businesses incur. Second, businesses that either hold or have applied for a Shared Spaces permit are eligible to receive up to $5,000 in reimbursement from the City. Finally, the City is launching the San Francisco Latino Small Business Fund to expand the San Francisco Hardship and Emergency Loan Program (SF HELP) and provide zero-interest loans of up to $50,000 to approximately 80 small businesses.
On December 4, Mayor Breed and Director of Health Dr. Grant Colfax announced that San Francisco will join several other Bay Area counties in voluntarily implementing California’s Regional Stay at Home Order to help stabilize surging COVID-19 cases. Although the City has not yet met the threshold (less than 15 percent capacity in ICU beds) that triggers the Stay at Home Order, San Francisco joined Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Santa Clara, and the City of Berkeley in preemptively implementing heightened restrictions to flatten the curve of COVID-19 cases. The Stay at Home order went into effect on Sunday, December 6 at 10:00pm and will remain in place until January 4, 2021. During this time, San Francisco will close all personal services, outdoor dining, outdoor playgrounds, outdoor museums, zoos and aquariums, drive-in theaters, and open-air tour busses and boats. Outdoor gyms and fitness classes must be limited to a maximum of 12 people at a time, while grocery stores and other indoor retail must reduce capacity to 20 percent.
On November 19, Mayor Breed announced the launch of the San Francisco Creative Corps pilot program to support artists and promote public health through art. Part of Mayor Breed’s COVID-19 response and recovery plan, the San Francisco Creative Corps pilot will employ 60 San Francisco artists as Community Health Ambassadors to creatively promote COVID-safe behavior. Artists can apply to be considered for the pilot program here.
On November 16, Mayor Breed and Director of Health Dr. Grant Colfax announced that the City is adjusting its reopening of businesses and activities due to a continued increase in COVID-19 cases in San Francisco. Beginning November 17, the City paused the reopening of non-essential offices and reduced the maximum capacity of fitness centers and gyms to 10 percent. These measures come as San Francisco was moved into the red tier on California’s tiered COVID-19 system.
On November 16, Mayor Breed and Director of Health Dr. Grant Colfax today announced a new CityTestSF COVID-19 testing site would open at the Alemany Farmer’s Market on November 17. The CityTestSF site located at Seventh and Brannan Street in San Francisco’s South of Market (SoMa) neighborhood has closed as resources are reallocated to the Alemany Farmer’s Market site.
On November 12, Mayor Breed announced that the City and County of San Francisco reached a new agreement with the San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD) to send staff to help support the district’s school facility assessments. So far, the district has assessed 20 schools, which leaves a remaining 65 buildings that need to be inspected in order to welcome students back into the classroom during the pandemic.
On November 10, Mayor Breed and San Francisco Director of Health Dr. Grant Colfax announced that the City is temporarily rolling back its reopening plans due to a significant increase in COVID-19 cases, which have risen by 250 percent since October 2. Starting Friday, November 13, San Francisco began rolling back indoor dining and reducing the capacity of fitness centers and movie theaters. The City also paused indoor instruction at high schools that had not already opened.
On November 9, Mayor Breed announced that San Francisco’s Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing began moving unhoused individuals out of hotels and into longer-term housing solutions. Working with different nonprofits, the department will eventually transition 2,300 people from hotels to new housing accommodations as part of San Francisco’s COVID-19 response.
On November 9, Mayor Breed announced a $3.5 million expansion of the San Francisco Hardship and Emergency Loan Program (SF HELP). It will provide zero interest loans of up to $50,000 to some 80 small businesses as part of San Francisco’s COVID-19 recovery plan.
On October 30, Mayor Breed and Director of Health Dr. Grant Colfax announced that San Francisco will temporarily pause the reopening of additional businesses and activities scheduled to resume or expand on November 3. The pause is a precautionary measure due to an increase in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations in San Francisco, coupled with the current increase in cases in California and across the United States.
On October 27, Mayor Breed announced the launch of JobsNOW!, an expanded program to help San Franciscans find employment, support local businesses, and advance the City’s economic recovery during and after COVID-19. Operated by the Human Services Agency (HSA), the JobsNOW! program will provide employment and training services to low-income residents and reimburse employers when they hire program participants for permanent positions. The City allocated nearly $28 million annually in the FY 2020-21 and 2021-22 budget for the program to support 3,600 subsidized employment placements.
On October 26, Mayor Breed and Treasurer José Cisneros announced that San Francisco will provide entertainment and nightlife venues $2.5 million in additional fee and tax waivers. Waiving license and business registration fees and taxes for these businesses is part of Mayor Breed’s efforts to support San Francisco’s economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. It is also aligned with the policy recommendations from San Francisco’s Economic Recovery Task Force.
On October 20, Mayor Breed and Director of Health Dr. Grant Colfax announced that San Francisco will continue its measured reopening process. Beginning October 27, the City will reopen “non-essential” offices at limited capacity. Indoor climbing walls and other businesses and activities will also repoen—see an updated reopening timeline here. These steps come as San Francisco moved to the yellow tier—the lowest county risk level for COVID-19—on California’s tiered COVID-19 system.
On October 14, Mayor Breed announced the reopening of San Francisco playgrounds. The City’s more than 180 playgrounds will have signs reminding families of their capacity limits and guidelines on how to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Additionally, Recreation and Park Department monitors will be stationed at the City’s busiest playgrounds for the first two weekends to help educate families about the new rules and ensure health guidelines are followed. On a related note, Mayor Breed also announced the opening of six newly renovated playgrounds.
On October 8, the San Francisco Economic Recovery Task Force (ERTF) released a report with 41 policy recommendations to advance San Francisco’s long-term economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. Over the past few months, the ERTF has convened over 100 San Francisco leaders to guide and inform San Francisco’s economic recovery. In response to this latest report, Mayor Breed announced an initial series of steps to support San Francisco’s continued recovery, including making elements of the Shared Spaces program permanent, providing basic income for artists, and offering direct funding for businesses.
On September 29, Mayor Breed announced an extension of San Francisco’s commercial eviction moratorium until November 30, 2020. While the extension does not waive the obligation to pay missed rent, commercial tenants cannot be evicted for missed or late rent payments from March 17, 2020 through November 30, 2020. They also do not have to fulfill the missed payments until after the moratorium expires.
On September 29, Mayor Breed, Director of Health Dr. Grant Colfax, and Assessor-Recorder Carmen Chu announced that, beginning September 30, the City would move forward with resuming indoor dining and worship at 25 percent capacity for up to 100 people. Additionally, the City will expand capacity for outdoor dining and worship, as well as reopen family entertainment and hotel fitness centers. These steps come as San Francisco moved to the orange tier on California’s tiered COVID-19 system.
On September 25, Mayor Breed announced a temporary permit program to ensure safer outdoor entertainment and amplified sound activity as a part of San Francisco’s COVID-19 reopening. The new Just Add Music (JAM) permit will help businesses, organizations, and individuals conduct entertainment activity at Shared Spaces and other outdoor locations throughout San Francisco.
On September 24, Mayor Breed announced a $28.5 million commitment to expand COVID-19 support for San Francisco’s Latino community, which has been disproportionately impacted by the pandemic. Latinos represent only 15 percent of San Francisco’s total population but account for 50 percent of the City’s reported COVID-19 cases. The Latino Parity and Equity Coalition and the Latino Task Force will work with the City to leverage these new resources to support our Latino community.
On September 18, Mayor Breed, Director of Health Dr. Grant Colfax, and Assessor-Recorder Carmen Chu announced San Francisco’s plan for reopening indoor dining. Once San Francisco is classified as “orange” on the State of California’s tiered COVID-19 system, the City will allow restaurants to resume indoor dining at 25 percent capacity and up to 100 people.
On September 14, Mayor Breed announced the launch of San Francisco’s Community Hubs Initiative. On September 14, 45 Community Hubs opened at locations throughout the City to provide in-person support for distance learning and out-of-school activities for 800 of San Francisco’s high-needs children and youth. More Community Hubs will open in the coming months, ultimately serving some 3,000 students.
On September 10, Mayor Breed, Director of Health Dr. Grant Colfax, and Assessor-Recorder Carmen Chu announced that San Francisco will begin the next phase of its COVID-19 reopening plan. Starting on Monday, September 14, hair salons, barber shops, nail salons, gyms and fitness centers, and several other businesses can resume indoor personal services with limited capacity. On September 21, museums, zoos, and aquariums will also be allowed to resume indoor service with a submitted health and safety plan.
On September 1, Mayor Breed, Director of Health Dr. Grant Colfax, and Assessor-Recorder Carmen Chu announced next steps in San Francisco’s reopening plan for businesses and activities. The City will begin by resuming outdoor activities that are lower risk and then move to indoor activities that are lower risk and with limited capacity. In-person learning and child and youth development activities will also resume on a rolling basis.
On September 2, Mayor Breed announced the launch of a citywide public awareness campaign about the importance of wearing face coverings in slowing the spread of COVID-19, especially as the City reopens. The campaign will include posters, signage, and digital billboards in areas where people tend to gather, as well as a robust digital and social media presence using the hashtag #MaskTheSFup.
On August 31, Mayor Breed announced the delivery of face shields, masks, and sanitizers to businesses and workers in San Francisco’s most vulnerable communities, including the Mission, Bayview, and Chinatown. The shipment of 360 pallets of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) includes over one million surgical masks, 600,000 face shields, and 150,000 bottles of hand sanitizer.
On August 28, Mayor Breed announced that San Francisco will resume outdoor personal services starting September 1. Only services where both clients and providers can be masked at all times are allowed to resume, including haircuts, barber services, massages and nail services. Outdoor gyms and fitness centers can reopen starting September 9.
On August 21, Mayor Breed announced that the African American Small Business Revolving Loan Fund has grown to $3.2 million. The additional $1.7 million in newly announced funding will provide capital and financial assistance to Black-owned businesses and entrepreneurs impacted by COVID-19.
On August 4, Mayor Breed and Treasurer José Cisneros announced that the City of San Francisco will continue to defer collection of business registration fees and the unified license fees until March 1, 2021. The deferral is intended to provide relief to businesses facing financial hardship as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
On July 31, Mayor Breed and City Librarian Michael Lambert announced the launch of San Francisco Public Library (SFPL) To Go. Rolling out August 10 and 11 with the Main Library and the Excelsior Branch, SFPL To Go will allow San Francisco library cardholders to pick up and return books at libraries throughout the City. After the initial launch, more locations will open up in phases.
On July 31, Mayor Breed and District 6 Supervisor Matt Haney announced the creation of new pedestrian spaces in the Tenderloin to support residents and businesses hit by COVID-19. The City will develop a temporary four-block project on Jones Street, which will include sidewalk expansions, Shared Spaces, and Play Streets.
On July 31, Mayor Breed unveiled her two-year budget proposal for the fiscal years 2020–2022. The $13.7 billion proposed budget (which drops to $12.6 billion in the 2021–2022 fiscal year) is higher than last year’s budget, closes the City’s $1.5 billion budget deficit, and prioritizes spending in three key areas. $120 million will be reinvested to address structural inequities affecting the City’s Black community. The proposed budget also includes investments to implement the Homelessness Recovery Plan and expand the City’s permanent supportive housing portfolio. $446.1 million will be allocated to support the City’s ongoing COVID-19 response and recovery efforts. Additionally, $15 million of new funding will go to the San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD) to help alleviate financial hardships caused by COVID-19.
UCSF and the Latino Task Force will be offering COVID-19 testing at the 24th Street BART station every Wednesday and Friday from 7:00am–6:00pm. According to Mission Local, the testing site will be open for at least three weeks and will prioritize workers and commuters in the 24th Street corridor.
On July 29, Mayor Breed, in partnership with the COVID Command Center and Latino Task Force, announced new strategies to expand COVID-19 resources and awareness for San Francisco’s Latino community. These include La Familia Unida Contra COVID-19 (Families United Against COVID-19) campaign to increase awareness of health orders and guidelines and programs offering food, housing, finance, and mental health services.
On July 23, Mayor Breed announced the creation of 40 Community Learning Hubs to support distance learning for up to 6,000 San Francisco students. The City will transform recreation centers, libraries, cultural centers, and other facilities across San Francisco into Community Learning Hubs. They will provide full-day, in-person programming to support students, especially those from low-income households and with limited access to technology.
On July 22, Mayor Breed announced new COVID-19 testing strategies and expansion to address the surge in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations in San Francisco. San Francisco’s CityTestSF site at the Embarcadero will add 400 new appointments per day. Two new mobile testing sites, and one new long-term testing site in the southeastern part of the City, will also be added to increase San Francisco’s testing capacity.
On July 21, Mayor Breed announced a plan to fund San Francisco’s Homelessness Recovery Plan to provide more housing and shelter for homeless individuals during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. Over the next two years, the City will make 6,000 placements available for people experiencing homelessness, including 4,500 placements in permanent supportive housing.
On July 17, Mayor Breed and Director of Health Dr. Grant Colfax announced next steps to control the spread of COVID-19. With a recent spike in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations, San Francisco was placed on California’s county “watch list.” As such, the City will pause its reopening plans indefinitely and double down on efforts to change San Franciscans’ behaviors to slow the spread of COVID-19. Today, July 20, San Francisco’s Department of Public Health will also issue a new Public Health Order requiring private health care providers to expand testing.
On July 15, Mayor Breed and Director of Health Dr. Grant Colfax announced that San Francisco would again extend the pause on its reopening plans. Due to surging COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations in San Francisco, activities and businesses previously scheduled to resume on either June 29 or July 13 will remain closed. This includes dining, indoor museums and aquariums, outdoor swimming pools, and real estate open houses by appointment. Personal services such as haircuts, massages, tattoos and body piercing, manicures and pedicures will also not be allowed to reopen.
On July 10, Mayor Breed and Director of Health Dr. Grant Colfax announced that the San Francisco Zoo and Gardens will be allowed to July 13. Shoppers may also resume using reusable bags, and guidelines will be released for boat and fishing expeditions of 12 people or less. The remaining activities and businesses scheduled to reopen either June 29 or July 13, however, will remain on pause.
On July 9, Mayor Breed announced the opening of a new mobile COVID-19 testing site at the Latino Task Force (LTF) Resource Hub in the Mission. Part of the City’s Right to Recover program, which encourages residents to get tested for COVID-19 while offering additional wrap-around services for those who face financial hardship, the site will operate on Thursdays from 10:00am – 3:00pm.
On July 7, Mayor London Breed and Director of Health Dr. Grant Colfax announced that San Francisco will delay reopening indoor dining and outdoor bars—originally scheduled for July 13—due to a rise in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations.
Starting July 6, the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) will raise parking meter rates and begin reinforcing parking meter time limits. At the beginning of April, SFMTA reduced parking meter rates to 50 cents per hour. Now, meters will be priced at 50 cents below their pre-COVID-19 rates.
On June 30, Mayor Breed announced that the City of San Francisco would cancel its annual Fourth of July fireworks show and close parking lots at several popular beaches and outdoor spaces. These measures were enacted to discourage crowds and help limit the spread of COVID-19 over the holiday weekend.
On June 26, Mayor Breed temporarily delayed the reopenings that were scheduled for June 29 due to rise in San Francisco’s COVID-19 cases. On June 25, the City saw 103 new COVID-19 cases. Mayor Breed warned that cases could continue to rise to the point where the City would have to shut down again and said, “Nobody should wait to get tested.” You can find all testing locations in San Francisco here.
On June 19, Mayor Breed announced the creation of a $1.5 million African American Small Business Revolving Loan Fund from Give2SF donations. Launched in partnership with the Office of Economic and Workforce Development (OEWD), Main Street Launch, and the San Francisco African American Chamber of Commerce, the fund will provide financial assistance to local Black entrepreneurs and Black-owned small businesses impacted by COVID-19. Interested entrepreneurs and businesses can find more information about the program and how to apply here.
On June 15, Mayor Breed announced that San Francisco’s reopening plan entered Phase 2B, which allows more businesses to resume operations. Starting June 15, retail businesses may allow customers to shop inside with safety protocols. Some outdoor activities may also resume, including outdoor fitness classes and outdoor gatherings of 12 people or less. See the full list of activities permitted under Phase 2B here.
On June 12, Mayor Breed announced that $1.65 million in funds from the San Francisco Soda Tax will help provide emergency COVID-19 food relief. The funds generated by San Francisco’s Sugary Drinks Distributor Tax—more commonly known as the Soda Tax—will be used by the San Francisco Wholesale Produce Market to purchase foods for community groups that are distributing meals to their members. Funding will also go to the San Francisco Unified School District so it can continue providing meals for students.
On June 11, San Francisco’s Stay Home Order was amended to allow additional businesses to resume operations. These include outdoor dining service, professional sports games and tournaments without spectators, outdoor fitness classes, and indoor household services, among others. The updated health order also allows special outdoor gatherings which are subject to certain requirements, such as maintaining six feet of distance and limiting gathering to 12 people or less.
On June 9, Mayor Breed announced that San Francisco restaurants may begin outdoor service starting Friday, June 12. To do so, many restaurants applied to participate in the City’s Shared Spaces program, which allows them to use adjacent public spaces for pick-up and outdoor dining.
On June 5, Mayor Breed and Director of Health Dr. Grant Colfax issued new public health guidance for safe social interactions amid the ongoing COVID-19 crisis. San Francisco’s Stay At Home order is still in place, and City leaders maintain that staying home is the best way to prevent people from getting/spreading COVID-19. For those that are expanding their social interactions, however, here are some guidelines—meet outside, wear face coverings, and minimize contact.
On June 5, Mayor Breed, Board President Norman Yee, and District 11 Supervisor Ahsha Safai announced the creation of a new grant program to support Family Child Care (FCC) educators. Recognizing that many family child care educators have suffered financially from COVID-19, the Office of Early Care and Education (OECE) will use $1 million in funding from Give2SF to create a Family Child Care Emergency Operating Grant program. More information about the program and how to apply will be available here.
On June 4, Mayor Breed and the Office of Economic and Workforce Development announced additional financial support for San Francisco small businesses. Small businesses can now apply for $6.5 million in funds from San Francisco’s Small Business Resiliency Fund and the Hardship Emergency Loan Program (SF HELP). Over 300 local businesses will receive support in the form of grants and zero percent interest loans.
On May 28, Mayor Breed announced a multi-phase reopening plan and timeline for San Francisco. Starting June 1st, child care programs can resume, outdoor museums and historical sites can reopen, and additional retailers can offer outdoor curbside service with minimal contact. Beginning June 15th, San Francisco restaurants and bars will be allowed to offer outdoor dining, indoor retailers can reopen with modifications, and outdoor fitness activities can resume with physical distancing.
On May 28, Mayor Breed and Director of Health Dr. Grant Colfax issued a new public health order that requires San Francisco residents to wear face coverings in most situations outside of the home, including when exercising outside within 30 feet of other people.
On May 26, Mayor Breed announced the Shared Spaces Program to provide additional public space and support neighborhood businesses. The program allows neighborhood businesses to use nearby public spaces, such as sidewalks, full or partial streets, and parks and plazas, for restaurant pick-up and other retail activity. Developed by the COVID-19 Economic Recovery Task Force, the Shared Spaces Program aims to support local businesses in expanding their operations outdoors and facilitating physical distancing for employees and customers alike.
On May 22, Mayor Breed announced that summer camps and summer programs can reopen in San Francisco on June 15th with “limited capacity and modifications intended to prevent the spread of COVID-19.” The latest public health order, issued by the Department of Public Health (DPH), allows San Francisco summer camps and programs to open for children and youth ages six to 17. They must prioritize the children of parents working for businesses permitted to operate. Regular child care programs will also be allowed to reopen starting on June 1st.
On May 18, Mayor Breed announced three new COVID-19 testing sites in underserved neighborhoods in San Francisco. The City partnered with Verily (Alphabet’s lifescience subsidiary) to pilot a mobile testing site in the Tenderloin, which began walk-through COVID-19 testing on May 20. An additional site was opened at the City College Student Health Center, while the City and partner organizations will be bringing testing directly to families in Bayview-Hunters Point. See all testing sites here.
On May 18, Mayor Breed launched Great Plates Delivered SF to deliver meals to seniors in need and support local businesses during the COVID-19 crisis. The program will deliver three free restaurant meals a day to eligible seniors who are at high risk from COVID-19. SF New Deal, a nonprofit partnering with over 65 local restaurants across San Francisco, was selected as the program’s primary vendor.
On May 14, Mayor Breed and Director of Health Dr. Grant Colfax announced that San Francisco will amend its Stay Home Order to allow most retailers to operate for storefront pickup and delivery starting today, May 18. This step toward reopening remains contingent on San Francisco’s continued demonstration of progress on slowing the spread of COVID-19. The City also released guidelines businesses must follow as they prepare to reopen.
On May 13, Mayor Breed announced that San Francisco is facing a $1.7 billion deficit in the current year and upcoming two-year budget as a result of the economic impact from COVID-19. The full report from the City Controller’s Office projects a $250 shortfall for the remainder of the 2019-20 fiscal year followed by a $1.5 billion deficit for the upcoming two-year budget (FY 2020-2022). The deficit projections do not include San Francisco’s COVID-19 emergency response costs, which are “likely to be significant and will add to the already steep shortfalls.”
On May 13, Mayor Breed announced new food relief measures for students during the school closures caused by COVID-19. Families with children eligible for free or reduced-price school meals can receive up to $365 in Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT) benefits. Those with P-EBT eligible children that receive CalFresh, Medi-Cal, or Foster Care benefits do not need to apply for P-EBT benefits and will receive a P-EBT card for each eligible child in the mail. Starting May 22, families receiving free or reduced-price meal benefits but not on public benefit assistance can complete a short online application to receive a P-EBT card.
On May 7, Mayor Breed and Director of Health Dr. Grant Colfax announced that some San Francisco businesses can reopen as early as March 18 with modifications. Retailers such as bookstores, florists, and music stores will be among the first businesses (full list here) allowed to resume operating with storefront pickup on May 18. Customers must continue to practice social distancing and wear face coverings when picking up from businesses. The Department of Public Health will develop additional guidelines for businesses that are consistent with the statewide guideline, all of which will be posted here.
On May 5, Mayor Breed and San Francisco Public Works announced that 18 of San Francisco’s staffed Pit Stop public toilets will remain open 24 hours a day during the COVID-19 pandemic. The City now has 49 staffed 24-hour restroom locations throughout the City.
On May 4, Mayor Breed and Director of Health Dr. Grant Colfax announced that all essential workers in San Francisco can receive COVID-19 testing, regardless of symptoms. Essential workers include people who “leave their homes to do their job and cannot maintain social distance or who interact with the public.” They do not a need a doctor’s note and can get tested through CityTestSF or at one of several testing locations in San Francisco.
On April 29, Mayor Breed and Director of Health Dr. Grant Colfax extended San Francisco’s shelter-in-place mandate until May 31 while easing certain restrictions. The new public health order went into effect on May 3 and continues to require social distancing and face coverings. It does, however, relax restrictions for lower-risk activities. Businesses that operate primarily outside, for example, are allowed to reopen, and employees of those businesses can access childcare programs. More details about the new order will be posted here.
On April 27, Mayor Breed announced that a portion of John F. Kennedy Drive in Golden Gate Park and John F. Shelley Drive in John McLaren Park will close to vehicles beginning April 28 at 6:00am. Intended to help people maintain social distancing requirements while exercising in Golden Gate Park and John McLaren Park, the roads will remain closed to cars for the duration of San Francisco’s stay-at-home order.
On April 22, Mayor Breed announced a $5.35 million allocation of funding from the Give2SF COVID-19 Response and Recovery Fund. This first round of funding will help ensure food security and housing stability for San Francisco’s most vulnerable populations, including undocumented workers. It will also support small businesses. To date, the Give2SF Fund has received approximately $10.5 million in contributions and pledges from foundations and individual donors and continues to accept additional donations.
On April 21, Mayor Breed and Treasurer José Cisneros today announced new measures to support San Francisco businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic. These include the deferral of business registration fees until September 30, 2020, totaling an estimated $49 million in deferrals for 89,000 businesses. The City will also provide additional tax relief for businesses by delaying the collection of unified license fees until September 30, 2020, totaling $14 million in deferrals for 11,000 payees.
On April 20, Mayor Breed and Director of Health Dr. Grant Colfax released a map of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in San Francisco by zip code via the City’s COVID-19 Data Tracker. In the accompanying press release, Mayor Breed emphasized how the data reveals that the populations who are most vulnerable to the pandemic in San Francisco are those that also suffer from “health disparities, income inequality, and structural racism.”
On April 17, the San Francisco Department of Public Health issued a new public health order requiring people to wear face coverings at essential businesses, in public facilities, on transit, and while performing essential work. The order goes into effect at 11:59 pm on April 17, 2020.
On April 15, Mayor Breed and San Francisco Director of Health, Dr. Grant Colfax, announced a new COVID-19 contract tracing program for Bay Area residents. A partnership between the City of San Francisco, the Department of Public Health, UCSF, and software company Dimagi, the program will use a digitized workflow to identify individuals who have been in contact with COVID-19 patients. Case contacts will then be able to receive daily health check-ups via text message or phone call throughout the 14-day monitoring period. UCSF and the Department of Public Health have conducted training for over 50 people who will support these efforts, while additional training sessions are ongoing.
On April 13, Mayor Breed announced the San Francisco Food Access Initiative, a citywide effort to expand access to food for those who are COVID-19 positive or awaiting test results. San Francisco residents can find food resource information online or by calling 311. To support this and other food security programs provided by the Human Services Agency, Mayor Breed is using $1 million of Give2SF funds.
On April 7, Mayor Breed and the San Francisco Department of Public Health (DPH) released a COVID-19 Data Tracker to provide San Francisco residents with more frequently updated information about COVID-19. Updated daily, the tracker offers easy-to-understand data sets on the number and demographics of patients with COVID-19 in San Francisco, testing results, and how many COVID-19 patients have been hospitalized.On April 6, Mayor Breed announced the opening of CityTestSF, a new drive-thru COVID-19 testing site intended primarily for San Francisco’s first responders and health care workers. Located at Pier 30-32, the most recent drive-thru COVID-19 testing location was launched in partnership with Color and Carbon Health and began service on April 6. Testing at this location will be prioritized for San Francisco police officers, firefighters, sheriff’s deputies, 911 dispatchers, health care workers, and other employees who are essential to the City’s COVID-19 response.
On April 3, Mayor Breed announced a partnership between the San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD), EducationSuperHighway, and the 1Million Project Foundation to increase internet access for San Francisco students. The week of April 13, 25 WiFi “SuperSpots” will be deployed to offer connectivity to San Francisco students without internet access and ensure they can continue distance learning even as school campuses remain closed.
On April 3, Mayor Breed and Board President Norman Yee announced the creation of a COVID-19 Economic Recovery Task Force. The task force is charged with developing an economic recovery strategy to assist San Francisco businesses, nonprofit and community organizations, and individuals—especially in light of San Francisco’s significant projected budget shortfalls as a result of COVID-19.
On April 2, Mayor Breed and the Board of Supervisors announced a $10 million Small Business Relief Fund to support small businesses impacted by COVID-19. Of the $10 million fund, $9 million will go to a new Emergency Loan Fund. The remaining $1 million will be used to expand the existing COVID-19 Small Business Resiliency Fund, which has received over 2,000 applicants since opening on March 11.
On March 31, Mayor Breed issued an updated Public Health Order extending the shelter-in-place mandate for San Francisco until May 3. According to the new order, areas with shared equipment and facilities (playgrounds, picnic areas, dog parks, tennis courts, pools, etc.) will close and residents are prohibited from participating in outdoor activities that involve shared equipment. The order also imposes stricter guidelines for what constitutes an “essential business,” and mandates social distancing protocols that essential businesses must follow to protect their employees and customers.
On March 27, Mayor Breed announced that three new drive-thru COVID-19 testing locations will soon open in San Francisco. These mobile testing sites will be used to test first responders and health care workers showing symptoms of COVID-19, as well as members of the public with a clinician referral. Two of the testing centers will open in the Outer Sunset early the week of March 30, while the third site is scheduled to open near Oracle Park at the end of the week of March 30.
On March 24, Mayor Breed temporarily waived regulations related to planning, permitting, fees, public notice, or other restrictions that would otherwise apply to coronavirus relief efforts.
On March 23, Mayor Breed announced a $2.5 million Arts Relief Program to support working artists and arts and cultural organizations financially impacted by COVID-19.
On March 18, Mayor Breed announced a 30-day moratorium on commercial evictions for small and medium-sized businesses earning less than $25 million in annual gross receipts. This follows other measures announced by Mayor Breed to support small businesses in San Francisco that are experiencing financial hardship as a result of COVID-19. These include the deferral of business taxes and licensing fees and the launch of an economic relief fund.
Beginning March 17, the San Francisco Unified School District will provide free breakfast and lunch Monday through Friday for all children (up to age 18) at 14 pick-up sites across San Francisco.
On March 16, Mayor Breed issued a Public Health Order requiring San Francisco residents to remain at their place of residence, except to conduct “Essential Activities, Essential Businesses, and Essential Government Functions”—all of which were defined here. This initial order went into effect at midnight on March 17.
Starting March 16, the Recreation and Park Department and the San Francisco Public Library will begin to operate libraries and indoor recreation facilities as emergency care facilities for children of parents on the front lines of the COVID-19 outbreak and low-income families.
On March 13, Mayor Breed announced a 30-day moratorium on residential evictions for residents suffering from a lack of income due to COVID-19.
All non-essential events of 100 or more persons in the City and County of San Francisco are prohibited until April 30.

To stay up to date with all City of San Francisco updates, follow the Mayor’s updates here.

UPDATES FROM THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA

On May 4, Governor Newsom announced a series of initiatives building on the state’s work to vaccinate California’s hard-to-reach communities against COVID-19. They include appointment assistance, community outreach, at-home vaccinations and transportation services, and an additional $33 million in funding to support community-based organizations.
On April 29, Governor Newsom signed a bill that will give small businesses hit hardest by this pandemic, a $6.2 billion tax cut over the next six years. Under the legislation (AB 80), the forgiven PPP loans that businesses received from the federal government during the pandemic will not be counted as taxable income, and these businesses can also deduct the costs of expenses that those loans paid for.
On April 24, the Western States Scientific Safety Review Workgroup concluded that use of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine should resume in the western states. Made up of nationally-acclaimed scientists with expertise in immunization and public health, the workgroup independently reviewed the FDA’s actions related to COVID-19 vaccines and provided its confirmation to the Governors of California, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington. The workgroup also recommended that vaccine information fact sheets be made available in multiple languages at an accessible reading level.
On April 16, Governor Newsom signed legislation to create a statewide policy for the rehiring of workers laid off due to the pandemic. SB 93 requires employers in the hospitality and business services industries, including hotels, airports, and large event centers, to offer new positions to qualified former employees laid off due to COVID-19 within five business days, through 2024.
On April 16, Governor Newsom announced partnerships with nearly 200 faith-based organizations to expand the state’s vaccine outreach and equity efforts. The goal is to provide at least 25,000 COVID-19 vaccine doses to pop-up clinics at these locations in the hardest-hit areas of the state.

See more updates

On April 15, all Californians age 16 and older became eligible for COVID-19 vaccinations. California’s eligibility expansion aligns with President Joe Biden’s nationwide deadline to make all adults in the U.S. eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine by April 19.
On April 6, Governor Newsom outlined the state’s next step in the COVID-19 pandemic recovery, moving beyond the Blueprint for a Safer Economy. On June 15, California will fully open its economy if two criteria are met: (1) vaccine supply is sufficient for Californians 16 years and older who wish to be inoculated; and (2) hospitalization rates are stable and low. This means everyday activities will be allowed, and businesses can open with common-sense risk reduction measures, including encouraging all Californians to get vaccinated and mask mandates.
On April 6, Governor Newsom announced the continued operation of the RingCentral Coliseum vaccination site in Oakland. The state reached an agreement with Alameda County and Contra Costa County to allow vaccinations to continue for four more weeks at the Oakland Coliseum site. The state will provide half of the weekly vaccines for the site, while the remaining half will come from the partner counties. The site is expected to deliver up to 6,000 vaccines per day.
On April 1, Governor Newsom announced that all Californians aged 50 and over are eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. The Governor himself received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine at a vaccination site in South Los Angeles.
On March 25, Governor Newsom announced the State will expand vaccine eligibility to 50+ Californians starting April 1st, and all individuals 16+ on April 15th based on expected vaccine supply increases. With supply of vaccines expected to significantly increase in the coming weeks, the state is expanding vaccine eligibility to more Californians.
On March 5, Governor Newsom signed a $6.6 billion package to accelerate the return to in-person instruction across California. $2 billion will fund safety measures to support in-person instruction, including personal protective equipment, ventilation upgrades. and COVID-19 testing. The remaining $4.6 billion will fund expanded learning opportunities such as summer school, tutoring, and mental health services.
On March 4, Governor Newsom signed an executive order in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This executive order extends authorization for local governments to halt evictions for commercial renters impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic until June 30, 2021.
On March 4, Governor Newsom introduced a vaccine equity metric to fulfill the conditions of its Blueprint for a Safer Economy by vaccinating the state’s hardest-hit communities against COVID-19. As part of this equity metric, 40 percent of California’s vaccine doses will be set aside for the most impacted communities. This will move counties through tiers quicker and open more activities safely.
On March 3, Governor Newsom announced federal approval of Medicaid funding to expand COVID-19 testing for low-income students. The Biden-Harris Administration approved Medi-Cal funding to help provide voluntary COVID-19 testing for low-income students covered by the program, further supporting the reopening of schools in underserved communities for in-person instruction.
On February 25, Governor Newsom outlined an equity-centered plan to accelerate access to COVID-19 vaccines for education workers. As part of this plan, the State has dedicated a minimum of 10 percent of vaccine supply, or an estimated 75,000 vaccines per week, to K-12 school staff and childcare workers.
On February 23, Governor Newsom signed a legislative package providing urgent relief to Californians experiencing pandemic hardship. This relief package will offer needed relief to individuals, families, and businesses suffering the most significant economic hardships from the COVID-19 pandemic. It builds on the Governor’s initiatives in the state budget proposal to provide cash relief to lower-income Californians, increase aid to small businesses, and provide license renewal fee waivers to businesses impacted by the pandemic.
On February 17, Governor Newsom announced an immediate action agreement for relief to Californians experiencing pandemic hardship. This relief package will speed needed relief to individuals, families, and businesses suffering the most significant economic hardships from the COVID-19 pandemic. It builds on the Governor’s initiatives in the state budget proposal to provide cash relief to lower-income Californians, increase aid to small businesses, and provide license renewal fee waivers to businesses impacted by the pandemic.
On February 16, Governor Newsom, in partnership with the Biden-Harris Administration, announced the opening of community COVID-19 vaccination sites in Oakland and Los Angeles. These pilot sites at the Oakland-Alameda Coliseum and California State University, Los Angeles are part of the federal administration’s wider effort to establish 100 vaccination sites nationwide in its first 100 days. They will be co-run by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES).
On February 12, Governor Newsom announced the launch of an interactive Safe Schools Reopening Map, an online tool providing a statewide snapshot of the status of school reopenings across California. The map displays data on reopening statuses, safety planning, and COVID-19 supports for all school types. The map will eventually feature other key data, including outbreaks reported in each school district and whether schools have partnered with the Valencia Branch Lab for COVID-19 testing. It is intended to help local communities in making data-driven decisions to safely open classrooms.
On February 3, Governor Newsom, in partnership with the Biden-Harris Administration, announced a pilot project to establish community COVID-19 vaccination sites in Oakland and Los Angeles. These pilot sites at the Oakland-Alameda Coliseum and California State University, Los Angeles are part of the federal administration’s wider effort to establish 100 vaccination sites nationwide in its first 100 days. They will be co-run by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES).
On January 29, Governor Newsom signed legislation to extend the state’s landmark eviction moratorium through June 30, 2021. The legislation pauses evictions for tenants who are unable to pay all or part of their rent due to a COVID-related reason. It also establishes the State Rental Assistance Program to allocate the $2.6 billion in federal rental assistance to help income-qualified tenants pay their rent after the moratorium ends. Assistance will also be extended to property owners who agree to waive 20 percent of unpaid rent.
On January 27, Governor Newsom signed an executive order to bolster the state’s efforts to vaccinate as many Californians as quickly as possible.
On January 25, Governor Newsom announced a series of improvements to the state’s vaccination plan. Simplifying the eligibility framework, California will adopt a statewide standard and movement through the vaccination tiers that begins with people 65+, health care workers, food and agriculture workers, and teachers and school staff. California is also launching My Turn, which allows Californians to learn when they’re eligible to get vaccinated.
On January 25, California lifted regional stay-at-home orders across the state in response to improving COVID-19 case numbers, hospitalizations, and ICU capacities. California will return to a system of county-by-county restrictions. The 10:00pm to 5:00am curfew will also be lifted.
On January 21, Governor Newsom signed an executive order to extend the validity of medical cannabis identification cards that would otherwise have expired during the COVID-19 pandemic.
On January 14, Governor Newsom announced the launch of transparency, accountability and assistance measures related to California’s Safe Schools for All Plan. This includes the launch of a one-stop-shop for state guidance and resources on safely resuming in-person instruction.
On December 7, Governor Newsom announced the statewide launch of CA Notify, an exposure notification tool developed in partnership with Google and Apple to track and reduce the transmission of COVID-19. Beginning Thursday, December 10, Californians can opt in to receive notifications informing them if they have been exposed to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19. CA Notify does not collect device location to detect exposure and does not share a user’s identity.
On December 3, Governor Newsom announced a regional Stay at Home Order that will be triggered if Intensive Care Unit (ICU) capacity drops below 15 percent in a given region. If ICU capacity falls below 15 percent in one of the five California regions, the region will have 24 hours to implement the Stay at Home Order, which will last for at least three weeks. Under the order, playgrounds, personal care services, movie theaters, bars, wineries, amusement parks, and several other sectors must close. Indoor retail and shopping centers must be limited to 20 percent capacity, restaurants can offer take-out only, and overnight stays at campgrounds will be prohibited, among other restrictions. The Stay at Home Order ends for a county if the corresponding region’s ICU capacity projected out four weeks (from three weeks since the Stay-at-Home Order started) is above or equal to 15 percent.
On November 30, Governor Newsom announced several initiatives to support businesses impacted by COVID-19 restrictions. The state will offer temporary tax relief by implementing an automatic three-month income tax extension for taxpayers filing less than $1 million in sales tax, extending the availability of existing interest and penalty-free payment agreements to companies with up to $5 million in taxable sales, and providing expanded interest-free payment options for larger businesses. The Governor also announced the creation of a $500 million COVID Relief Grant administered by the California Office of the Small Business Advocate (CalOSBA)—updates will soon be available here. Finally, the Governor announced the opening of the California Rebuilding Fund, which makes available $25 million to help impacted small businesses.
On November 20, Governor Newsom announced the opening of the California Rebuilding Fund to help small businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The California Rebuilding Fund is a public-private partnership that drives capital from private, philanthropic, and public sector resources and will offer small businesses loans of up to $100,000. Interested small businesses can complete an initial loan application here.
On November 19, Governor Newsom announced a limited Stay at Home Order, which requires that non-essential work, movement, and gatherings stop between 10:00pm and 5:00am in counties in the purple tier on the state’s COVID-19 system. Intended to slow the rapid rise in COVID-19 cases across the state—especially in counties with the highest rates of positive cases and hospitalizations—the order went into effect on November 21 and will remain in place until December 21.
On November 16, Governor Newsom announced plans to direct $62 million in one-time funds from the state’s Disaster Response Emergency Operations Account to continue providing housing to current Project Roomkey participants. The funding is intended to help local governments with Project Roomkey sites and ensure uhoused individuals moved out of hotels do not return to street homeless during the COVID-19 pandemic.
On November 16, Governor Newsom announced immediate actions today to slow the spread of COVID-19 amid rising case counts. These included slowing reopening in much of the state (94.1 percent of California’s population was placed in the most restrictive tier on the state’s tiered COVID-19 system) and strengthening face covering requirements. Individuals must wear a mask whenever outside their home, with limited exceptions.
On November 13, Governor Newsom joined Oregon Governor Kate Brown and Washington Governor Jay Inslee in issuing travel advisories recommending 14-day quarantines for inter-state and international travel. The advisories come as COVID-19 cases continue to rise significantly across the country.
On October 28, Governor Newsom signed an executive order addressing a variety of issues in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The order directs the California Department of Transportation to create a process for issuing temporary encroachment permits so that businesses located along state highways can expand their outdoor dining options. It also allows people 70 years of age or older to renew their drivers’ licenses by mail.
On October 19, Governor Newsom named acclaimed California physician scientists to California’s COVID-19 Scientific Safety Review Workgroup to review any COVID-19 vaccines before they are distributed in California. Guided by the principles of safety, equity and transparency, this group of experts will verify the safety of any vaccine that receives federal approval before making it available to those most at risk in California.
On September 23, Governor Newsom signed an executive order to extend authorization for local governments to halt evictions for commercial renters impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic through March 31, 2021. Among other things, the order also allows local health officers and other public health officials to participate in the Secretary of State’s address-confidentiality program and authorizes the Department of Managed Health Care to gather information about the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on health care providers and health care service plans.
On September 17, Governor Newsom signed two pieces of legislation to protect California workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. SB 1159 expands access to workers’ compensation and makes it easier for frontline workers who test positive for COVID-19 to receive medical care and wage replacement benefits. AB 685 ensures timely notification to employees and local and state public health officials of COVID-19 cases at workplaces.
On September 16, Governor Newsom announced that Oregon and Washington will join California in piloting a project to test promising exposure notification technology for COVID-19. California recently partnered with the University of California San Diego and the University of California San Francisco to launch two pilot projects to test the Exposure Notification Express mobile application released by Google and Apple.
On September 3, Governor Newsom signed an executive order extending consumer protections against price gouging through March 4, 2021 as part of California’s response to COVID-19. These protections prevent sellers from increasing prices on food, consumer goods, medical or emergency supplies, and other items by more than 10 percent.
On August 31, Governor Newsom signed COVID-19 tenant protection legislation. Under the legislation, landlords are not allowed to evict tenants before February 1, 2021 as a result of rent owed due to a COVID-19-related hardship accrued between March 4–August 31, 2020. Tenants are still responsible for paying unpaid amounts to landlords, but those unpaid amounts cannot be the basis for an eviction.
On August 28, Governor Newsom unveiled a blueprint for a Safer Economy, a statewide, stringent, and slow plan for living with COVID-19 long term. The plan imposes risk-based criteria on tightening and loosening COVID-19 allowable activities and expands the length of time between changes to assess how any movement affects the trajectory of the disease.
On August 26, Governor Newsom announced a plan to more than double California’s COVID-19 testing capacity and reduce turnaround time. A contract with a major diagnostics company will allow California to process up to an additional 150,000 COVID-19 diagnostic tests each day, with a contractual turnaround time of 24-48 hours. This first-of-its-kind agreement aims to disrupt the testing marketplace, help break supply chain logjams, and drive down the costs for tests for every Californian.
On August 24, Governor Newsom signed an executive order to increase the availability of CLIA-waived COVID-19 testing. The order also addresses a variety of issues in response to the pandemic. These include increasing the income-eligibility threshold for the Community Service Block Grant program to support economic and community development efforts in response to the pandemic. It also waives certain requirements under state law so that additional Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program funding made available under the CARES Act can be used to maximize direct assistance to Californians most in need.
On July 29, Governor Newsom announced actions to strengthen the state’s unemployment insurance delivery system and better serve workers who have lost their jobs during the COVID-19 pandemic. He is forming an Employment Development Department (EDD) strike team to propose improvements to EDD and reimagine their technology systems. Governor Newsom also announced that the state will prioritize processing unpaid claims, starting with the oldest claims.
On July 27, Governor Newsom announced actions to slow the spread of COVID-19 California’s Central Valley, which has been particularly hard hit by the virus. He is allocating $52 million to eight counties in the Central Valley to expand COVID-19 investigation, contact tracing, and quarantine efforts. The state will also deploy Unified Support Teams to support on-the-ground efforts to reduce COVID-19 transmission rates.
On July 24, Governor Newsom announced new safeguards for California workers at highest risk from COVID-19. The state is allocating funds to local public health departments and community-based organizations to assist with supportive services for isolation and quarantine. Governor Newsom is also expanding California’s #WearAMask and #StoptheSpread campaign to inform more Californians about ways to reduce the risk of COVID-19 at work and at home. Finally, the state released a COVID-19 Employer Playbook to guide businesses on safely reopening.
On July 22, Governor Newsom announced that he is increasing California’s stockpile to 100 million N-95 respirators and 200 million surgical masks by early fall to keep up with rising COVID-19 cases. To achieve this goal, the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services entered a new contract with BYD North America to produce 120 million N-95 respirators and 300 million surgical masks for the state.
On July 17, Governor Newsom announced a pandemic plan for schools and learning for the 2020-2021 academic year. The plan focuses on five key areas, including (1) safe in-person school informed by public health data, (2) mask requirements for all staff and students 3rd grade or above, (3) physical distancing requirements, (4) testing and contract tracing for COVID-19 outbreaks at schools, and (5) distance learning. You can read the full guidance from the California Department of Public Health here.
On July 13, Governor Newsom announced a significant reversal on California’s reopening plans. Governor Newsom’s rollback required bars and indoor operations at restaurants, wineries, movie theaters, card rooms and museums to shut down across the state. Furthermore, in 30 counties on the state’s “watch list,” indoor malls, places of worship, hair salons, and fitness centers must shift their operations outdoors or close.
On July 9, Governor Newsom announced California would hire 858 more firefighters and six California Conservation Corps to ensure adequate wildfire support during the COVID-19 pandemic.
On July 1, Governor Newsom ordered 19 counties in California—which represent 70 percent of the state’s population—to close indoor operations at restaurants, wineries, movie theaters, and other venues due to surging COVID-19 case numbers. The closures will remain in place for at least three weeks.
On July 1, the state of California released rules for people frequenting gyms and places of worship, which have reopened in some counties. Masks are required in both, and singing or chanting is prohibited during religious services.
On July 1, the California Employment Development Department announced that it will extend unemployment benefits for Californians impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Eligible Californians may receive up to the 20 weeks of additional unemployment benefits, which were made available through the Federal-State Extended Duration (FED-ED) benefits program.
On June 30, Governor Newsom signed an executive order on a variety of issues related to COVID-19. Among other things, it authorizes local governments to halt evictions for renters impacted by the COVID-19 through September 30. It also extends provisions laid out in earlier executive orders, including allowing adults to obtain marriage licenses via videoconferencing and waiving eligibility re-determinations for Californians who participate in Medi-Cal.
On June 29, Governor Newsom signed the 2020 Budget Act, a $202.1 billion spending plan that allows the state to continue its emergency response while closing a $54.3 billion budget shortfall caused by the COVID-19 recession. Key provisions include strengthening the state’s emergency response and protecting public health during the pandemic, supporting public education, assisting Californians in greatest need, promoting economic recovery, and closing the budget gap.
On June 28, Governor Newsom ordered bars to close in seven California counties, including Los Angeles, due to the rising numbers of COVID-19 cases across the state. The state also recommended that eight additional counties close bars to slow the spread of COVID-19, including Santa Clara and Sacramento.
On June 25, Governor Newsom released a set of tools, technology, and data to help Californians better understand the impact of COVID-19. These include the California COVID Assessment Tool, or CalCAT, and the source code of CalCAT. The Governor also mandated that California’s COVID-19 data be publicly available and stored on the state’s open data portal.
On June 25, Governor Newsom declared a budget emergency to make more funds available to support California’s response to COVID-19. The proclamation enables the California state legislature to pass legislation allowing the state to draw from its rainy day fund and ensure funding for personal protective equipment and other necessary responses to the COVID-19 crisis.
On June 22, Governor Newsom signed an executive order on a variety of issues related to COVID-19. Among other things, order suspends the requirement for recycling centers to hold a minimum number of hours of operation.
On June 18, Governor Newsom announced that, starting June 18, Californians are required to wear face coverings in public indoor spaces and outdoors when physical distancing is not possible. The California Department of Public Health updated its guidelines on face coverings to include this new mandate.
On June 15, Governor Newsom signed an executive order on a variety of issues related to COVID-19. It temporarily broadens the capability of counties to enroll people in the California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids (CalWORKs) program, extends permission for commercially-licensed food trucks to operate in roadside rest areas, and suspends face-to-face visits for eligibility for extended foster care, among other things.
On June 8, Governor Newsom announced that BYD North America has received certification from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) to produce N95 masks for the state of California. BYD will produce and ship 150 million N95 masks to the state for distribution to health care workers and others requiring respirator-style masks. The contract will also ensure California has a sufficient supply of masks going forward.
On June 3, Governor Newsom signed an executive order to ensure safe in-person voting opportunities for the General Election on November 3, 2020. This comes in addition to an executive order signed earlier this month requiring mail-in ballots to be sent to all California voters ahead of the election.
On May 29, Governor Gavin Newsom and First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom announced additional initiatives to support victims of domestic violence during the COVID-19 pandemic. These include $5 million in state funding, an executive order that helps ease the financial strain on domestic violence service providers, new partnerships to support survivors fleeing violence, and more.
On May 22, Governor Newsom launched California Connected, a statewide contact tracing program and public awareness campaign. The program will connect public health workers with individuals who test positive for COVID-19, as well as the people with whom they have been in close contact, to ensure they have access to confidential testing and medical care. So far, 500 contact tracers have been trained, and 300 more are being trained this week. The state plans to have a total of 10,000 statewide contact tracers as part of its plan to reopen California.
On May 19, Governor Newsom signed an executive order on a variety of issues in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The order waives the 10 percent cash or in-kind matching requirements for state grants awarded to organizations providing domestic violence services, as well as certain certification requirements for Cal Grant applicants. It also extends the timeframe for local governments to submit claims for reimbursement to the State Controller’s Office.
On May 8, Governor Newsom signed an executive order to send mail ballots to all registered voters in California for the November 2020 election. Although some physical voting locations will remain open, the mail-in option for all California voters is a precaution against the COVID-19 pandemic.
On May 6, Governor Newsom launched a new website that allows Californians to find a COVID-19 test near them. Users can enter their current location, address, or zip code to find both state and community COVID-19 testing sites nearby.
On May 4, Governor Newsom announced that, starting May 8, California will enter stage 2 of a four-stage framework outlining the state’s gradual reopening during the COVID-19 pandemic. Under stage 2, certain businesses can reopen as long as they follow guidelines provided by the state, which include conducting COVID-19 training for their employees and implementing disinfectant protocols. For now, many of the retail businesses allowed to reopen must offer curbside pickup and delivery.
On April 30, Governor Newsom launched an online portal to help parents and essential workers find safe and licensed child care providers in their area. Users will find an interactive map of available child care providers, as well as resources and information to access child care subsidies.
On April 30, Governor Newsom signed an executive order allowing adults to obtain marriage licenses via videoconferencing amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. Both adults must be located in the State of California and be able to present identification during the video conference. These temporary provisions for marriage will remain in place for the next 60 days.
On April 29, Governor Newsom announced several new initiatives to combat food insecurity for Californians during the COVID-19 pandemic. These include expanding the state’s Farm to Family program, which is a partnership between local farmers and California food banks to support food production, processing, and distribution. The Governor also extended maximum benefits for CalFresh recipients until the end of May and increased Benefits Transfer Programs (EBP) for eligible families and children.
On April 24, Governor Newsom announced the launch of “Restaurant Deliver,” a partnership with California cities and counties to deliver three meals a day to older adults and other individuals at high risk from COVID-19. The program also aims to provide economic stimulus to local businesses and workers. More information about the program will be coming soon.
On April 23, Governor Newsom announced a deal to expand student loan relief for 1.1. million Californians. He also signed an executive order to prevent debt collectors from garnishing individual COVID-19-related financial assistance.
On April 22, Governor Newsom announced a plan to allow California hospitals to resume delayed medical procedures, as well as open 86 new COVID-19 testing sites throughout California. Many of these new testing sites will be focused on underserved communities.
On April 16, Governor Newsom signed an executive order to extend the hours of the Employment Development Department from 8:00am to 8:00pm, seven days a week. The measure aims to help process requests and deliver benefits to the record number of Californians filing for unemployment due to COVID-19.
On April 16, Governor Newsom also signed an executive order to provide workers in the food sector industry impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic with two weeks of paid sick leave. Furthermore, the order outlines health and safety standards to increase food worker and customer protection.
On April 15, Governor Newsom announced a $125 million disaster relief fund to help California’s undocumented immigrants affected by COVID-19. California immigrants can also access a comprehensive guide of COVID-19 information and public services available to them.
On April 9, Governor Newsom announced that California workers who are receiving unemployment benefits will receive an extra $600 on top of their weekly amount. Intended to support Californians financially impacted by COVID-19, this benefit is part of the new Pandemic Additional Compensation (PAC), initiated by the CARES Act.
On April 1, Governor Newsom confirmed that California school campuses will remain closed for the rest of the academic year due to the COVID-19 outbreak. Teachers, classified employees, school boards, superintendents, and principals, however, will work together to ensure distance learning for California students. As part of these efforts, the Governor announced a partnership with Google to provide mobile hotspots and Chromebooks to students in rural areas.
On March 30, Governor Newsom launched California Health Corps to recruit more medical professionals to keep up with the surge of COVID-19 cases in California. Retired or part-time health care professionals, as well as medical students nearing the end of their training, are encouraged to apply. In order to rapidly expand the state’s health care workforce, Governor Newsom signed an executive order waiving some licensing and certification requirements until the end of June.
On March 27, Governor Newsom announced a statewide halt of evictions until May 31 for tenants affected by COVID-19 outbreak.
On March 19, Governor Gavin Newsom issued a statewide shelter in place mandate similar to the one Mayor Breed implemented for San Francisco on March 17. The State Public Health Officer then released a list of “Essential Critical Infrastructure Workers” who are exempted from the mandate and whose work is considered essential to protect the health and well-being of all Californians.
On March 18, Governor Newsom addressed the spread of the coronavirus among the state’s homeless population by signing an executive order to grant local flexibility on spending and building shelters. In the first allocation of the $500 million in emergency funding—recently authorized by the state legislature for COVID-19 related activities—$100 million will go directly to local government for shelter support and emergency housing and $50 million to purchase travel trailers and lease rooms in hotels, motels, and other facilities in partnership with counties and cities to provide immediate isolation placements.
On March 16, Governor Newsom called for the statewide closures of dine-in restaurants. In suspending dine-in services for the foreseeable future, the Governor clarified that restaurants can stay open to provide takeout and delivery services.
On March 15, Governor Newsom launched Project Baseline, a mobile testing pilot for COVID-19 made in partnership with Verily (the health and life science subsidiary of Alphabet). On the newly launched website, Californians can fill out a survey about their symptoms and demographics. They will then be told whether they are eligible to get tested for COVID-19 at a testing location in the Bay Area.
Nightclubs, pubs, wineries, and breweries are being asked to close throughout the state to help reduce non-essential gatherings and slow the spread of COVID-19.

To stay up to date with all State of California updates, follow the California Department of Health’s updates here.

GRATITUDE AMID COVID-19

sf.citi would like to recognize the many courageous San Franciscans holding our City together during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Mayor London Breed

We would like to thank Mayor London Breed, who has taken proactive measures to keep our City safe and look out for those affected by COVID-19. Under Mayor Breed’s administration, San Francisco has set an example of how to respond swiftly to contain the spread of the coronavirus.

We would like to thank our doctors, nurses, and all of our healthcare workers who have put themselves at risk to support patients suffering from COVID-19.

We would like to thank our first responders who rise to every occasion and crisis, including the COVID-19 pandemic, to protect our City.

We would like to thank the employees at our local grocery stores and pharmacies who have adjusted to new precedents created by COVID-19 with grace and continue to provide us with food and basic necessities.

We would like to thank our garbage men and women, plumbers, janitors, and service staff who keep our City up and running even as many of us shelter in place.

“All of us, health care workers, have been here for our most vulnerable patients. Consider bringing our staff of 20-25 people lunch as nearby coffee shops and restaurants are closed.”

– Nakari Ron
Tom Waddell Urban Health Clinic
Tenderloin

Photo via Wikimedia Commons

“I would like to thank day labor workers for keeping construction and repair work happening.”

– Dana Delara
San Francisco Resident

Which other San Francisco heroes need recognition during these challenging times? Let us know by tagging sf.citi on Twitter (@sfciti) or Instagram (@sf.citi) and using the hashtag #OneCitySF, or by filling out the form below.

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Social distancing got you down? Take a look at these recommendations on how to “vacation at home” and some tips on how to avoid loneliness while distancing yourself from others.

Did we miss something? Let us know by emailing info@sfciti.org.

SF TECH COVID-19 UPDATE

COVID-19 Update from the SF Tech Community

COVID-19 VACCINE SUPPORT FROM THE TECH COMMUNITY

COVID-19 TECH RESOURCES

Full list of COVID-19 tech resources and initiatives

UPDATES FROM THE CITY OF SAN FRANCISCO

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UPDATES FROM THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA

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GRATITUDE AMID COVID-19

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