San Mateo County Moves to
Yellow Tier, Aligns with State
Face Covering Requirements

The state announced that, beginning Wednesday, May 12th, many indoor businesses and activities in San Mateo County can reopen or expand as the risk from COVID-19 is “minimal.” The County is also now aligned with the State's face covering requirements.

The move to the state’s least restrictive yellow tier allows expanded capacity at restaurants, gyms, movie theaters, indoor businesses and other operations. The move into yellow officially takes effect Wednesday at 12:01 a.m.

This is San Mateo County’s first time in the yellow tier since the state last summer unveiled the color-coded Blueprint for a Safer Economy. The advance comes six weeks before Gov. Gavin Newsom has said the entire state may fully reopen on June 15.

The state moved the county to the yellow tier based on the following metrics as calculated by the state: the adjusted COVID-19 case rate has fallen to 1.8, and test positivity rate is 0.6%. The health equity quartile positivity rate is 1.3. The health equity quartile measures rates of infection with the virus in the county’s most disadvantaged communities based on the California Healthy Places Index.

Health Officer Dr. Scott Morrow has rescinded his June 17, 2020 order for social distancing guidelines and face covering requirements in favor of State guidance. 

Changes to Face Covering Requirements Indoors:
Face coverings continue to be required regardless of vaccination status in indoor settings outside of one's home, including public transportation.

Outdoors: 
For fully vaccinated persons, face coverings are not required outdoors except when attending crowded outdoor events, such as live performances, parades, fairs, festivals, sports events or other similar settings.

For unvaccinated persons, face coverings are required outdoors any time physical distancing cannot be maintained, including when attending crowded outdoor events, such as live performances, parades, fairs, festivals, sports events or other similar settings.

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Vaccines: COVID-19 vaccination clinics are available at convenient times and in many locations throughout San Mateo County. Learn more at https://www.smchealth.org/vaccine-clinic-calendar

Appointments are accessed via MyTurn four or more days before the date of the clinic — but appointments are not required. https://myturn.ca.gov/

Testing: COVID-19 testing, even for those fully vaccinated, remains essential to protecting public health. Get tested if you have been exposed to someone who is positive, if you have been in a crowd where people were not wearing masks, or if you have symptoms. Learn more at https://www.smcgov.org/testing