April 17, 2020 

UPDATE REGARDING THE NOVEL CORONAVIRUS ("COVID-19"):

A Message From The Supervisor:

As our City is coping with the effects of the novel coronavirus ("COVID-19"), I wanted to let each of you know that my office is working hard to stay up-to-date on all fronts so that you all can be informed of what is happening locally, statewide, and nationally. Lastly, please don't hesitate to email us at SafaiStaff@sfgov.org or call us at 1-415-554-6976 and we will immediately respond. 

Thank you all for your time, cooperation, and perseverance -- we will all get through this! 

Sincerely,




Supervisor Ahsha Safai 

Mayor London N. Breed and Director of Health Dr. Grant Colfax today announced that everyone in San Francisco will be required to wear face coverings when they are outside of their homes for essential needs, including waiting in line for or inside of a grocery store or on public transportation. Additionally, transportation workers and other employees who interact with the public must also cover their face while doing essential work. A full list of the requirements of the Health Order is listed below.

By strengthening this method of protection, San Franciscans will be less likely to transmit the coronavirus to one another. Face coverings help to stop droplets that may be infectious, even if the person wearing the mask has no or mild symptoms.

The requirement is a Health Order by Dr. Tomás Aragón, Health Officer of the City and County of San Francisco. The Order is effective at 11:59 p.m. on April 17, 2020, but it will not be enforced until 8:00 a.m. on April 22, 2020. It is informed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines. Previously, the City recommended face coverings on April 2nd, and this order makes it a requirement.

“My mask protects you, and your mask protects me,” said Dr. Colfax. “Covering your face is a great way to show you care for your neighbors, friends and family. We are going to have to continue to work together to slow down the virus and reduce transmission. The virus is still out there, and we need to be vigilant.”

Wearing a face covering is not a substitute for staying home, staying 6 feet apart and frequent handwashing. These activities must be continued faithfully as part of the City’s coronavirus response.

Face coverings should cover the nose and mouth and fit securely. They can be a manufactured or homemade mask, a bandanna, scarf, towel, neck gaiter or similar item. Cloth face coverings should be cleaned frequently with soap and water.

Face coverings do not need to be N-95 or surgical masks to help prevent the spread of the virus to others. Please refrain from buying hospital-grade masks so that those are available for health care workers and first responders.

Summary of the new requirements

• For the public, face coverings will be required:
  • While inside or waiting in line to enter an essential businesses, like a grocery store or pharmacy.
  • When seeking health care.
  • When waiting for or riding transit.
  • When entering facilities allowed to operate under the Stay Home Order (such as government buildings.)
• Businesses must:
  • Inform customers about the need to wear a face covering, including posting signs;
  • Take reasonable steps to keep people who are not wearing a face covering from entering their business, and
  • Refuse service to anyone not wearing a face covering.
• For essential workers and transportation workers:
  • All workers and volunteers at essential businesses, operating public transportation, or operating other types of shared transportation must wear a face covering when at work in most settings, when interacting with the public or co-workers.
  • Workers doing minimum basic operations, like security or payroll, essential infrastructure work, or government functions must wear a face covering when others are nearby or when they are in areas that the public regularly visits.
• Face coverings are not required to be worn when by people who are:
  • At home.
  • In their cars alone or with members of their household.
  • Outdoors, walking, hiking, bicycling, or running. However, people are recommended to have a face covering with them and readily accessible when exercising, even if they’re not wearing it at that moment.
  • Children 12 years old or younger. Children age 2 and under must not wear a face covering due to the risk of suffocation. Children age 3 to 12 are not required to wear a face covering, but if they do, they should be supervised by an adult.

Supervisor Safai Introduces Resolution encouraging San Francisco to take strong action to prevent child abuse and neglect during the shelter in place order

On Tuesday Supervisor Safai introduced a Resolution at the Board of Supervisors encouraging San Francisco to take strong action to prevent child abuse and neglect during the shelter in place order. It laid out a strong plan to support our families by increasing capacity and language support for the 24-hour parental stress hotline, safely providing respite care for caregivers experiencing extreme stress, continual funding for Family Resource Centers and more.

We thank the many service providers who have been providing this support for our vulnerable communities during this time. We look forward to working with City Leadership to amplify, uplift, and provide more support for these efforts.

We saw these same priorities reflected in Governor Gavin Newsom’s announcement to invest $42 million on Monday to protect our most vulnerable children. Funds would go to social workers to engage with families and identify needs, to expand help lines and support family resource centers who play a critical role in preventing abuse and neglect.

Now, more than ever, vulnerable children and families need community -- neighbors, friends, colleagues, and other family members -- to pay attention, offer support, and, if needed, take action. This is our community; these children and families are all of ours.

If you suspect children are being harmed in any way, call for help. Even though it’s hard, especially during these challenging times, we all must make protecting children our business.

1. If you suspect that a child is being abused or neglected, contact your local child welfare agency to make a confidential report anytime. (https://tinyurl.com/state-child-abuse-numbers). Call 9-1-1 if a child is in imminent danger.

2. If you or someone you know needs support, call the TALK Line at 415-441-KIDS (5437) anytime. The TALK Line provides crisis counseling for parents and caregivers and can connect you with resources and family support.

3. When a family is struggling, reach out, and see how you can help.

Let’s work together to support families and keep children safe during this crisis.