Revised shelter orders allow skate parks, garden centers, construction to resume

Public health officers in six Bay Area counties and the city of Berkeley jointly announced Wednesday the easing of some restrictions as stay-at-home orders extend through May 31.

The new public health orders, effective May 4, will allow construction projects to resume as long as the construction site complies with safety measures outlined in the order.

All real estate transactions can also resume but with restrictions to open houses and in-person viewings of homes.

Some outdoor businesses can resume operations and the public can visit these businesses to purchase goods and supplies and return to work while complying with social distancing measures. The businesses include places like wholesale and retail nurseries, landscapers, gardeners and other select outdoor services outlined in the order.

Outdoor businesses do not include bars, restaurants and cafes that provide outdoor seating.

Some outdoor recreational areas like skate parks will also be reopened, but outdoor recreational areas with shared exercise equipment are still prohibited for public use.

Santa Clara County health officials said the new order will allow childcare operations like summer camps to resume but only in stable groups of no more than 12 children.

San Francisco Mayor London Breed said in statement:

“The small changes to loosen restrictions on some lower-risk activities are the result of the outstanding job by our residents of abiding by the rules and precautions that have helped keep our community safe. I know this is hard for everyone, but we have to keep our focus on protecting public health every step of the way.”

The updated public health order still recommends the public to continue to practice physical distancing, stay home whenever possible and wear face coverings as previously outlined.

Jerold Chinn

Jerold serves as a reporter and San Francisco Bureau Chief for SFBay covering transportation and occasionally City Hall and the Mayor's Office in San Francisco. His work on transportation has been recognized by the San Francisco Press Club. Born and raised in San Francisco, he graduated from San Francisco State University with a degree in journalism. Jerold previously wrote for the San Francisco Public Press, a nonprofit, noncommercial news organization. When not reporting, you can find Jerold taking Muni to check out new places to eat in the city.