MESSAGE FROM CATHERINE

Dear John,

Today, San Francisco has issued a restrictive new Order to shelter in place, to limit the spread of coronavirus and protect our most vulnerable populations, effective at 12:01 am on Tuesday, March 17. These actions will have a major impact on our daily lives but they are necessary to flatten the curve. In this time of crisis, we all have a responsibility to do what we can to lessen the impact of this pandemic. By taking swift action, we can work together to make sure our community continues to be safe, prosperous, and resilient.

The Order directs all residents to remain at their place of residence, except to conduct Essential Activities, Essential Businesses, and Essential Government Functions (defined below). When conducting an allowed activity, people must maintain at least six feet of social distancing from everyone other than household members.

All businesses, other than Essential Businesses and those performing Essential Government Functions, are required to cease all operations. All public and private gatherings of any number of people occurring outside a single family or living unit are prohibited, except for the exemptions listed below.

All travel, including but not limited to walking, biking, driving, or taking public transit is prohibited, except to perform Essential Activities, operate Essential Businesses, or to maintain Essential Government Functions. Individuals may go on a walk, get exercise, or take a pet outside to go to the bathroom, as long as at least six feet of social distancing is maintained. People riding on public transit must maintain at least six feet of social distancing from other passengers.

Essential Activities (exemptions to the Order) include:

• Tasks essential to maintain health and safety, such as obtaining medicine or seeing a doctor;
• Getting necessary services or supplies for themselves or their family or household members, such as getting food and supplies, pet food, and getting supplies necessary for staying at home;
• Engaging in outdoor activity, such as walking, hiking, or running provided that you maintain at least six feet of social distancing;
• Performing work providing essential services at an Essential Business or Essential Government function (defined below);
• Caring for a family member or pet in another household;
• Caring for elderly, minors, dependents, persons with disabilities, or other vulnerable persons.

Additionally, individuals  may only leave their place of residence to:

1)   Operate or receive essential services from an Essential Business, which includes:

• Healthcare operations, including home health workers;
• Essential Infrastructure, including construction of housing and operation of public transportation and utilities;
• Grocery stores, farmers’ markets, food banks, convenience stores;
• Businesses that provide necessities of life for economically disadvantaged individuals and shelter facilities;
• Pharmacies, health care supply stores, and health care facilities;
• Gas stations and auto repair facilities;
• Banks;
• Garbage collection;
• Hardware stores, plumbers, electricians, and other service providers necessary to maintain the safety, sanitation, and essential operation of residences and other essential businesses;
• Educational institutions, for the purposes of facilitating distance learning;
• Laundromats, dry cleaners, and laundry service providers;
• Businesses that ship or deliver groceries, food, and goods directly to residences;
• Childcare facilities providing services that enable essential employees to go to work;
• Roles required for any Essential Business to “maintain basic operations,” which include security, payroll, and similar activities.

2)   Perform an Essential Government Function:

• This includes all services needed to ensure the continuing operation of the government agencies and provide for the health, safety and welfare of the public.

The City has compiled relevant information and will provide daily updates here: https://www.sfdph.org/dph/alerts/coronavirus.asp.

I know these coming weeks may be painful as we all face drastic change to our daily routines. But these precautions will save lives, and we’ll get through it together. Stay calm, be careful, and please contact my office at [email protected] with questions or concerns. If you know of anyone who needs help or you yourself need help, please let office know and we will do everything we can to connect you to resources.

Warm Regards,

Catherine

Office of Supervisor Catherine Stefani
1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place, Room 260, San Francisco, CA 94102
Phone: (415) 554-7752 Fax: (415) 554-7843