Game on: San Francisco rolls out plans for live indoor events

As San Francisco Covid-19 cases and hospitalizations remain relatively low, city officials are rolling out plans to resume indoor live ticketed events, with limitations, starting April 15.

The California Department of Public Health issued guidelines last week for counties looking to allow attendance at live indoor events. Venue capacity limits are based on the county’s tier level, but counties can choose to implement tougher restrictions.

Mayor London Breed said in a statement Thursday that live performances, sporting and cultural events are a large part of what makes The City so special, adding:

“We’ve all been missing these events over the last year, and we are excited for this step and what lies ahead, but we all need to keep doing our part to put safety first. That means getting people the vaccine as fast as possible and ensuring everyone remains vigilant in keeping our case numbers low.”

The San Francisco Department of Public Health plans to finalize health and safety guidelines Wednesday that relate to indoor and outdoor events, as well as indoor meetings and other private events.

Officials said The City will generally follow state guidelines for counties in the orange tier, which includes allowing up to 35 percent capacity at venues for indoor ticketed, seated events and performances with an approved health and safety plan. Attendees will need to show proof of either a negative Covid-19 test or full vaccination.

Those requirements will not be applied to smaller venues operating at less than 15 percent capacity, or with fewer than 200 people. 

Anne Taupier, acting director of the Office of Economic and Workforce Development, said in statement:

“I cannot overstate how important this announcement is. Music venues, performance theaters, and other live event operators have not been able to open for over a year and are out of options to sustain themselves.”

The City is averaging 37 new cases per day, but public health officials said that the new case rate is slowly increasing. Citing recent case surges in Europe, Dr. Grant Colfax, DPH director, warned that the virus is still out in the community and that residents need to be cautious.

Colfax said:

“As we have seen in other parts of the country and in Europe, the threat of a fourth surge fueled by variants is one we need to take seriously. We must continue to follow the health precautions we know work to stop the spread of COVID-19.”

The Golden State Warriors also announced Thursday that fans will be welcomed back to the Chase Center on April 23 in a game against the Denver Nuggets. Officials expect to accommodate the maximum capacity allowed under the state guidelines, which is 35 percent.

Chase Center attendees will need to provide proof of a negative Covid-19 test within 48 hours prior to a game or prove they have been fully vaccinated for at least two weeks prior to a game.

Fans who purchase tickets more than seven days in advance will receive a free Lucira Health molecular Covid-19 test kit they can use 48 hours before the game they plan to attend.

After taking the test, fans can enroll in the CLEAR’s Health Pass where they can link their test result and complete a health survey to create a health pass, which they will be required to show before entering the Chase Center.

Officials said there will be strict enforcement of social distancing and face coverings at all times. Fans are discouraged from pre- and post-game gatherings outside the venue.

Fans can visit the Warriors website to learn more about the health and safety protocols and requirements for attending games.

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.