San Francisco and San Mateo counties move to most restrictive purple level amid surge in coronavirus cases



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SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) – After weeks of wire restraint, San Francisco and San Mateo County are officially in the most restrictive purple level. The Mayor of London Breed described the peak in COVID-19 cases as “the most aggressive spike SF has seen to date,” indicating an average of 118 new cases per day compared to 73 per day in the first week of November.

The cancellations go into effect on Sunday and San Francisco Mayor London Breed has urged residents to protect themselves and their families.

“Each person should do what they can over the next few weeks. The decisions you make today will have an impact on our situation tomorrow. Do not travel, stay with the people in your household and wear your masks.

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On Monday, the two counties will also fall under Governor Gavin Newsom’s curfew for counties in the purple level. The partial month home stay order requires non-essential work and gatherings must end from 10:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m.

Inner worship,

“It’s yet another setback and it’s a reminder that this pandemic is going to be a long journey for San Francisco,” said Rodney Fong, CEO of the SF Chamber of Commerce.

Places of worship must close for indoor gatherings, but outdoor services are still permitted. The Archdiocese of San Francisco sent a statement saying in part, “The government is demoting worship to the same status as watching a ‘non-essential’ movie but worship is both a natural and a constitutional right.”

Indoor operations of museums, aquariums and zoos, indoor cinemas, indoor gymnasiums and fitness centers will all be closed. San Francisco will also close outdoor carousels, Ferris wheels, and train rides.

“It’s very disappointing at the same time that the safety of our visitors and our staff is the top priority,” said Thomas Campbell, CEO of the San Francisco Art Museums.

San Francisco’s Fine Arts Museums have to contact thousands to reschedule their visit.

“20,000 tickets, advanced tickets. People bought their tickets online and we have their emails so logistically it takes a long time, but obviously we will honor them, ”Campbell said.

Retail stores must limit their capacity to 25%, but outdoor dining is allowed. Indoor retail and personal services, such as hair and nail salons, outdoor fitness and limited indoor one-on-one people
training in gyms or fitness centers can continue.

Giovanni Cea was leading a busy Saturday lunchtime crowd at the Crepevine restaurant on Burlingame Avenue. News that San Mateo County will drop to purple level on Monday means there will be no more dining inside.

“It’s going to be difficult for the restaurants to survive, it’s going to be cold and we’re waiting for the rain,” Cea said.

RELATED: Bay Area health workers warn of tougher COVID-19 rules as state reports distressing hospitalization rates

Anki Moletic owns Loft, she knows retail stores like hers will need to further reduce shoppers inside, just as the holiday season begins.

“Not happy, but we will obey and do what we need to do,” Moletic said. “We hope it goes away soon, right?”

Those who rely on a paycheck from their retail jobs now worry about what happens next.

“It won’t be a pleasant thought that my hours can be cut back, to counter something equally important,” said Divya of San Mateo County.

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MAP: CA counties that can, cannot reopen under new rules

Outdoor playgrounds, skate parks (with a maximum capacity of 25% up to 25 people at a time), batting cages and mini golf, as well as outdoor zoos and art or museum exhibits can remain open.

RELATED: COVID-19 Risk Calculator: The Safest, Most Dangerous Things To Do This Holiday Season

The troubling numbers from San Francisco show the city is averaging 130 new positive COVID-19 cases per day, up from 73 per day during the first week of November, Breed said. The city has about 900 cases of COVID-19 diagnosed per week, compared to 217 cases of COVID-19 diagnosed the week of October 12.

Last week, San Francisco was the only urban area in the state to avoid being in the purple level. Today, 51 of 58 counties are at the “generalized” maximum risk level, officials said.

San Mateo County Supervisor David Canepa said: “It was not totally unexpected, but it is a complete disappointment.”

Canepa says everyone needs to redouble their efforts to flatten the curve.

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In San Mateo County, the health department reported an 85% spike in new COVID-19 cases from October through November. The county’s new adjusted case rate is 7.6 per 100,000 people, officials said on Saturday.

“We haven’t seen numbers like this in quite a while and we really need to reverse this incredibly disturbing trend,” said San Mateo County Manager Mike Callagy. “The important thing to remember is that we can turn the tide as long as we follow sound health and safety practices.

“We have to make sure that we always do the things that we do, by wearing that damn mask, by distancing ourselves socially and by washing our hands,” Canepa said.

In San Francisco, any schools already open for in-person learning can continue to offer classroom instruction. As part of the purple level, TK-6 schools that are not yet open can request a waiver from the health officer to open in-person classes inside. Colleges and high schools that are not yet open may not open for classroom instruction, but they may apply to provide outdoor learning only.

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