Hospitals across the 11 counties that make up the state-designated Bay Area region have in the aggregate fallen below the ICU bed capacity that triggers California's strict stay-at-home order. Currently, capacity is at 12.9%; the threshold that activates the order is 15%. On Tuesday, Marin County ran out of staffed ICU beds entirely.
The region's new, official status, making it subject to the order, will only affect the four counties that did not preemptively implement the tougher restrictions, and will go into effect on Thursday at 11:59 p.m. Those counties are Napa, San Mateo, Santa Cruz and Solano, which will now have to shut down all dining — both indoor and outdoor — as well as a host of other businesses and activities.
Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Monterey, San Francisco, Santa Clara and Sonoma counties are already abiding by the order.
Here are the restrictions the entire region is now subject to:
- Residents must stay at home except for work, shopping or other essential activities like medical appointments.
- Retail operations limited to 20% capacity, or 35% at stand-alone grocery stores.
- Restaurants must close to indoor and outdoor dining, but can offer takeout, pickup and delivery.
- Hotels, vacation rentals and other lodging can only accommodate essential workers.
The following must shut down altogether:
- Hair salons and barbershops
- Personal care services
- Movie theaters (except for drive-in theaters)
- Wineries, bars, breweries and distilleries
- Family entertainment centers
- Museums, zoos and aquariums
- Live audience sports
- Amusement parks
- Indoor gyms
Outside exercise is allowed provided residents stay physically distant, and gyms can offer outdoor operations. Overnight stays at campgrounds are out, but playgrounds can now stay open following the state's policy reversal last week.