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Today I write you with important updates about the City’s response to COVID-19, including information about the Shelter in Place Order and how to remain informed as the situation continues to evolve. Please share this information widely.
I would like to thank all of our transit, public safety, sanitation, childcare, civil servants, food and grocery workers, and of course, our tireless health care professionals for continuing to provide the essential services we all rely on through this extraordinary time. We will get through this together, and will be here for each other once we are clear of this crisis.
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To stay up to date on the City’s current information and guidance, members of the public are encouraged to do the following:
- Sign up for text alerts by texting COVID19SF to phone number 888-777
- Visit sf.gov/coronavirus for one-stop City resources and information
- Visit www.sfdph.org for up-to-date information on the public health situation and recommendations
- Call 311 for specific questions or concerns
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San Francisco and all neighboring counties have issued a public health order requiring all residents to stay at home except to conduct essential activities, business, or government functions. This order is mandatory, and is in effect from March 17 through April 7.
To be clear, grocery stores, pharmacies, banks, laundromats and many other essential services will remain open and there is no need to rush out to these locations. Transit service, trash collection, public safety agencies, and public works and utilities crews will all continue to operate. Personal travel to care for family members or deliver essential supplies is permitted. Outdoor activities are permitted, though you should take every reasonable effort to maintain at least 6 feet of distance between yourself and others. Parks and trails remain open, though recreational facilities will be closed.
The following businesses and services will remain open:
- Hospitals, clinics, dentists, pharmacies, home healthcare provides, and other healthcare facilities and businesses
- Grocery stores, farmers' markets, food and produce stands, food banks, convenience stores, or any other retailer who sells food, household and cleaning supplies, and personal care products
- Restaurants and cafes for to-go service only, and food delivery services
- Gas stations, auto repair shops, and related businesses
- Laundromats and dry cleaners
- Banks and financial institutions
- Hardware stores, and plumbers, electricians, exterminators and related service providers
- Shipping and mailing services
- Childcare and private educational institutions, in observance of social distancing restrictions
- Residential facilities, shelters, and home-based care facilities
- Organizations and businesses that provide food, shelter, and social services to high-need populations
- Personal transportation providers including airlines, taxis, para-transit operations, ride share and other services
For more information, see the City’s Shelter in Place FAQs here, and the full Public Health Order here.
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Emergency Child and Youth Care
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Beginning March 16, the San Francisco Recreation and Park Department and the San Francisco Public Library will operate libraries and indoor recreation facilities as emergency child and youth care centers for children of parents on the front lines of the COVID-19 outbreak and low income families qualified for Rec and Park scholarships. Participation in this service is by invitation only. Eligible parents received invitations via email on March 15. For more information (including if you think you are eligible but did not receive an email invitation), see the Emergency Child & Youth Care FAQs here.
Additionally, the City is in need of qualified volunteers to help staff some emergency child care centers. SFUSD educators only may volunteer to help with childcare here.
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Nutrition and School Meals
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SFUSD will provide free meals to all children 18 and younger during the school closure. On Tuesday, March 17, 8 sites will be open 9-10 a.m. On March 18, 14 will be open, and from March 19 and on 18 sites will be open Monday through Friday 9-10 a.m. to pick-up breakfast, lunch, supper, fresh fruit, vegetables and milk to take home. No identification or proof of school enrollment is required, but a child must be present. Shelf-stable meals will also be available. Families will not need to enter the school building for pick-up. See locations and schedules here . District 8 locations include Mission High School starting March 17, and Lick Middle School starting March 18.
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Business, Non-Profit and Employee Assistance
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The Mayor’s Office of Economic and Workforce has announced an assistance package for small businesses and non-profits, and a one-stop resource center to connect businesses and employees to local and state assistance programs. Access and learn more about these resources.
- Small business and non-profit assistance:
- Deferred business tax payments for small businesses
- Deferred business license fees
- Immediate relief for revenue losses sustained by small businesses
- Guarantee of City-Funded Non-Profit Contracts
- Support in accessing state and federal assistance programs
- Resources for employees:
- Paid sick leave, as required for all workers in the city under the Paid Sick Leave Ordinance. In addition, the City has announced the Workers and Families First Program, which will contribute an additional 40 hours of paid sick leave beyond existing policies for private-sector workers.
- Unemployment Insurance is available if your employer has reduced your hours or shut down operations due to COVID-19
- Sick or quarantined workers can also file a state Disability Insurance claim for short-term benefits
- If you are unable to work because you’re providing care for an ill or quarantined family member you can file for Paid Family Leave for up to six weeks of paid benefits
- City employees may now advance vacation and sick days.
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Many neighbors have reached out to my office wondering how they can be of help to others in this difficult time. Right now, the best thing you can do to help others is to comply with public health orders to stay home as much as possible, and maximize your distance from others when you go out for essential business and activities. My office is working with neighborhood and City leaders to identify volunteer opportunities, especially to support our youth, seniors, and high-risk populations and we will be announcing these opportunities via social media and other platforms as they become available.
As of now, we can share the following opportunities to contribute:
- The San Francisco-Marin Food Bank is seeking donations and volunteers to work in the warehouse or at food pantries, or deliver fresh groceries. Learn more about food bank volunteer opportunities here.
- The Mayor announced the Give2SF Fund which will allow the City to accept tax-deductible monetary contributions to be spent on efforts to respond to the coronavirus outbreak, including providing shelter, food and other assistance to individuals, families, and small businesses in San Francisco that are impacted by the virus. Find out more about the fund at www.give2sf.org.
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