June 7, 2021
A Message From The Supervisor:
Happy Pride Month! Today San Francisco celebrated Mayor London N. Breed’s annual LGBTQ Pride Month Kickoff and Flag Raising at City Hall in honor of the City’s ongoing leadership and commitment to LGBTQ rights and equality. The in-person and streaming event included honoring this year’s Pride grand marshals, remarks by LGBTQ elected officials and community leaders, and featured special performances by the Gay and Lesbian Freedom Band – the official band of San Francisco—and renowned opera singer Breanna Sinclairé. With the reopening of San Francisco on the horizon we are sure to have some great events this month!
Today marked another momentous occasion. City Hall reopened it’s doors to the public! It was exciting to see weddings happening in the rotunda again! Services are once again available to the public and we are slated to reopen the chambers for our Board of Supervisor meetings next week.
Last week, Mayor London Breed unveiled her budget proposal for Fiscal Years (FY) 2021-2022 and 2022-2023
. The budget proposal includes important new investments to support San Francisco’s economic recovery, continue the COVID-19 response, ensure public safety, provide behavioral health care, prevent homelessness and transition people into services and housing, create more housing, promote nonprofit sustainability and equity initiatives, and support children, youth and their families. The annual $13.1 billion for FY 2021-22 and $12.8 billion for FY 2022-23 budget seeks to be responsive to the City’s most urgent needs as it moves forward on the road to recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, while preserving long-term financial sustainability. My office is working diligently to accommodate budget requests that have been sent
directly to us.
District 11 was extremely active this weekend. Thank you to the Excelsior Action Group and our neighborhood volunteers for their amazing work in beautifying the Ever Upward Sculpture and Plaza at Mission and Geneva. Simultaneously in the Excelsior we had a number of neighbors passing out safety kits to our seniors with the Ingleside Senior Safety Advocates. Thank you for your work in keeping our seniors and corridors safe. Saturday was capped off by Sana El Barrio (Heal the Hood) event at Crocker Amazon. The Latino Task Force in collaboration with Excelsior Strong held a wonderful health and wellness event that promoted healthy food, arts and crafts, and natural medicines.
As the city reopens I am excited to begin to see more of you at in person meetings and events.
Lastly, I am holding a hearing on Wednesday, June 9 at the Budget & Appropriations Committee at approximately 3:30pm to review the amount of grants that have been made available to our small businesses as they grapple with exorbitant amounts of debt and unpaid rent. You can tune in on https://sfgovtv.org/
and you can make public comment by calling in at (415) 655-0001 and entering the Meeting ID: 187 078 2606. I hope you can tune in, provide public comment and let your voice be heard. We have to save our small businesses that are the backbone of San Francisco's economy.
Please note - if you miss my weekly newsletter, you may find it later on the Board of Supervisor’s website. Click HERE to read past newsletters.
Although our City Hall Office is closed to the public due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, we are still here to serve you. If you have any difficulty during this time, please do not hesitate to reach out. We are available by email: safaistaff@sfgov.org or by phone 415-554-6976 (leave a message and we will call you back). You can also check for updates on my Twitter
, Instagram, and Facebook. Stay safe and healthy.
Sincerely,
Supervisor Ahsha Safai |
Reopening Guidelines
San Francisco is now in the 'Yellow Tier' of Reopening. Please click HERE to find out more on which activities have been expanded and/or made allowable under this current tier of reopening.
California is set to retire the tier system and move on to a near full re-opening by June 15. We will keep you updated on what that looks like in San Francisco. |
District 11 Vaccination Sites
The District 11 vaccination site located at 20 Norton Street is taking appointments by calling 415-562-8638. There are limited drop ins at the end of the day for appointments that were missed.
The OMI vaccination site at 50 Broad Street is also now open. Details are in the flyer below.
People age 16 and over should visit SF.gov/getvaccinated to learn about options for receiving the vaccine and to find links to schedule appointments at different vaccination sites.
Your mask is still one of your best tools to protect yourself.
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For vaccinated and unvaccinated people, a face covering is no longer required outdoors unless a more specific rule requires it, such as being in a crowded setting. You should always have a face covering with you, even if you are vaccinated in the event that you enter an indoor public space or find yourself in a situation where social distancing cannot be maintained. For example, if you stop to have a prolonged conversation with a person whose vaccination status is unknown you will want to wear a mask.
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And for now, everyone, including fully vaccinated and unvaccinated people, must still wear a face covering at large events outdoors. In San Francisco, this means any event or location with 300 or more people.
Let’s support our local businesses, safely.
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Masks are not required outdoors once customers are seated if tables are placed 6 feet apart. Customers must put on a mask on if going indoors for any reason, including going to the restroom or finding a staff member.
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Indoor dining is open at 50% normal maximum capacity for each room. Customers must wear face coverings indoors when they are not actively eating or drinking.
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Outdoor bars are open, with safe distancing and a maximum of 8 people per group.
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Indoor bars are open at 25% capacity up to 100 people and patrons may stand and consume beverages as long as they are stationary and keep 6 feet apart from other groups. Maximum 8 people to a group. When indoors, patrons must keep their face covering on unless actively eating or drinking.
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Live entertainment is allowed. Everyone must wear a face covering, to include patrons, performers, and staff if live entertainment is indoors. Coverings may be removed when actively eating or drinking. When outdoors, coverings may be removed if 6 feet of physical distancing between performers and audience can be maintained.
Share love, not COVID-19.
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Fully vaccinated San Franciscans can now attend small indoor gatherings with other fully vaccinated friends and loved ones without masks or physical distancing, or with unvaccinated people from one household who are at low risk of severe illness from COVID-19.
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However, we know that even fully vaccinated people may carry and transmit the disease, so fully vaccinated people should still consider the risk that exposure may have on those around them, such as unvaccinated people at high risk for severe COVID-19 disease.
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Please continue to wear a mask and practice physical distancing when around high-risk individuals, even if fully vaccinated.
Kids can be kids again.
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Recreational programs outside of school and childcare are open for all children. You can enroll your child in multiple day, or summer programs, at a time, including music and sports.
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When eating, children and youth who are not fully vaccinated should be 6 feet away from others indoors, 3 feet away outdoors.
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Maintaining cohorts is no longer required; children can participate in activities with different groups in the same program.
Staycations are the safest.
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Postponing travel and staying close to home is still the best way to protect yourself and others against COVID-19. Fully vaccinated travelers should still follow CDC’s recommendations for traveling safely, including:
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Wear a mask over your nose and mouth
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Stay 6 feet from others and avoid crowds
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Wash your hands often or use hand sanitizer
As we celebrate Carnaval and Juneteenth, let’s share the love, not COVID-19. Plan for a safe and fun summer by getting vaccinated; appointments are widely available throughout the City and most our vaccination sites allow for drop in. The science is clear; the more people we vaccinate, the more we drive down case rates and prevent community spread. A safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine, coupled with continued preventive measures, is our best tool to end the pandemic and safely reopen San Francisco.
To get vaccinated go to SF.gov/getvaccinated |
May COVID-19 Testing in District 11 The City is encouraging residents who have insurance to get tested through their medical provider, so as to take the strain off of our free testing sites. If you have health insurance, schedule a test with your doctor. If you have symptoms or known exposure, your healthcare provider is required by law to get you a test.
OMI (Community Pop Up Site)
Fridays from 9am-4pm
50 Broad Street
No Appointment Necessary
Walk-Through, Free Parking Provided
Alemany Farmers Market (CityTest SF)
100 Alemany Boulevard
Walk-Through and Drive-through
Alemany takes a limited number of drop-ins. Make an Appointment for guaranteed testing. Click HERE to make an appointment at Alemany.
Visit sf.gov/gettestedsf for more information. |
Emergency Rental Assistance Program
Mayor London N. Breed announced that the City’s new emergency rental assistance program began accepting applications on Friday, May 28. The City’s program is designed to keep tenants in their homes by leveraging existing eviction protections and maximizing prospective rental assistance.
Beginning today, tenants interested in applying can visit: sf.gov/renthelp to familiarize themselves with the program requirements before the application opens on May 28.
Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis. Applicants will be required to provide documentation to verify identity, income, COVID-19 financial impact and unpaid rent. Since the program will be targeted to the most vulnerable tenants, rental assistance will not be first-come, first-serve.
The City encourages tenants to apply on their own online if they are able. If tenants need help completing an application, a network of community-based partners are available to help. These community-based partners may be found at sf.gov/renthelp, by calling 311 or at www.sfadc.org. |
OEWD Webinar - Preparing for a Full Reopening
RSVP NOW to join us on Tuesday, June 8th at 4:30 PM. You must also register to participate in a live Q&A during the event.
If we reach capacity for attendees, you can watch a livestream of the webinar on our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/SFOEWD.
Note that the information provided in this webinar may be subject to change based on the latest public health and safety information.
Full Reopening Webinar
Tuesday, June 8th at 4:30 PM
RSVP at link.oewd.org/FullReopen
SF New Deal is launching a micro grant program to distribute $1,000,000 to small businesses in San Francisco, many of whom are struggling with debt even as post-covid reopening expands. In order to support small businesses and strengthen local communities, SF New Deal is providing grants of $2,500 to 400 small businesses.
A March 2021 SF New Deal survey of San Francisco restaurants found that the number of restaurants facing debt, as well as the amount of debt, has increased significantly. 60% of restaurants are currently in debt, compared to 34% in March 2020, the start of the first shelter-in-place order. On average, debt nearly doubled, increasing from $62,000 to $114,000.
“Direct debt relief is one of the best ways we can support small businesses right now. The challenges they’re facing are immense and reopening is just the first step on a long road to financial recovery, " said Lenore Estrada, Executive Director of SF New Deal. "We’re excited to offer much needed financial assistance, with an easy application and no need for repayment, to a range of small businesses beyond just restaurants.”
SF New Deal’s grant program is open to all small businesses, including newly opened businesses, that have not previously participated in any of SF New Deal’s programs. The business does not have to be a restaurant to apply -- for example bookstores, retail stores, nail salons or any type of impacted small businesses are encouraged to apply.
Individuals can apply for their own business to receive a grant or can nominate a small business for the grant. Application and nomination details are listed on the SF New Deal Small Business Debt Relief Grant Program Page. The application submission period is from June 1 - June 30, 2021. Grant award announcements will be made by July 31, 2021.
In order to qualify, the business must meet all of the following criteria:
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The business is located within the City of San Francisco. -
The business has 3 or fewer locations.
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The business has at least 3 (Full Time Equivalent) employees.
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The business had 2019 (pre-pandemic) revenue of less than $3M annually.
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The business was negatively impacted by COVID-19 Shelter-in-Place orders (ex. the business lost employees, sales decreased, debt increased, etc.).
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The business has no outstanding violations or existing claims with the San Francisco Office of Labor Standards Enforcement (OLSE) or the California Division of Labor Standards Enforcement (DLSE). -
The business has never participated in any of SF New Deal’s programs.
Grant money may be applied to any business-related expense, including business payroll, business rent, business supplies, etc. The money must be spent on or before December 31, 2021 and may not be retained as profit or kept by the owner. Grant recipients will be required to provide proof of how the grant money was spent. SF New Deal will convene grant recipients in an advisory process to learn about challenges facing small business recovery and inform SF New Deal's future programs, advocacy efforts, and policy recommendations.
Since March 2020, SF New Deal has provided immediate support to the restaurant industry at a time of unforeseen and significant need. Over the past 14 months, SF New Deal has disbursed over $24,500,000 directly to more than 206 small businesses, helping them keep their doors open and fuel San Francisco’s local economy while simultaneously providing more than 2,275,000 meals to neighbors in need.
For more information, please visit https://sfnewdeal.org/debt-relief
City Assistance Applying for Federal Relief
Mayor London Breed announced that San Francisco is partnering with the Mission Economic Development Agency (MEDA) and several community-based organizations to assist San Francisco restaurants and other eligible businesses who need help applying for the new, federal Restaurant Revitalization Fund
. The Restaurant Revitalization Fund is funded by the American Rescue Plan Act, which Speaker Nancy Pelosi championed in Congress, and will provide grants to help restaurants, bars, and other eating and drinking businesses stay open.
San Francisco business owners who need assistance applying for the Fund should go to:
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Mission Economic Development Agency
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Northeast Community Federal Credit Union (Chinese)
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Renaissance Entrepreneurship Center Bayview
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SF Small Business Development Center (Spanish, Chinese, Vietnamese)
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Website: sfsbdc.org. New client registration click here
and complete the following form and you will be contacted to schedule an appointment.
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Phone Number: 415-937-7232
A comprehensive list of business resources, including additional partners assisting with applications for the Restaurant Revitalization Fund, is available online at oewd.org/covid19. |
Updates from the Department of Building Inspection
Customers who want an earlier opportunity to apply for an Over-the-Counter with Plans permit have two new options to get your permit sooner.
New Waitlist
First, DBI is opening a waitlist for qualifying Over-the-Counter with Plans applicants. You can email DBI to join the wait list, and we’ll contact you within three business days with an earlier appointment time if one is available.
This change can save substantial time for our customers by offering an earlier date to submit an application. To keep the wait list active and effective, restrictions apply, and this option is only available to applicants with appointments more than seven days out.
Email us to sign up for the wait list here.
Be sure to include the project address and the name, phone and email of the person who will be going to the appointment.
Go here to learn more about the wait list, who qualifies and how it works.
New Same Day Drop-In Queue
DBI is also offering an opportunity for customers to drop into the Permit Center without an appointment.
Starting tomorrow, DBI will open a same day drop-in queue every weekday at 8:00 a.m. You can sign up remotely through Qless, and if you receive a confirmation message that you can join the queue for that day, you will be able to visit the San Francisco Permit Center at 12:00 p.m. that afternoon for in-person plan check and review.
Here is the Qless link that will open at 8:00 a.m. every day.
Similar to the wait list, restrictions apply. You can’t sign up for the same day queue if you already have an appointment within seven days.
Go here to learn more about the Same Day Drop-In Queue, who qualifies and how it works. |
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