Resources for Business Re-Opening

January 25: The State lifted Stay Home Order allowing counties to return to the rules and framework of the Blueprint for a Safer Economy. Alameda County provided additional guidance. Businesses and activities permitted to open include:

Outdoors only, with modifications

• Campgrounds
• Cardrooms and Racetracks
• Family Entertainment Centers and Movie Theaters
• Gyms
• Museums
• Places of Worship and Cultural Ceremonies
• Restaurants, Wineries, and Tasting Rooms
• Zoos and Aquariums

Indoors, with modifications

• Hair Salons and Barbershops
• Hotels and Lodging (indoor gyms and fitness studios remain closed)
• Personal Care Services, including Massage, Nail Salons and Skin Care Services
• Grocery Stores may increase capacity to 50 percent
• Other Retail may increase capacity to 25 percent

January 9: The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) announced, based on ICU data, that the Bay Area region (including Oakland and Alameda County) continues to be under the Regional Stay at Home Order. Once a region's four-week ICU projection shows a capacity of greater than or equal to 15%, the order will be lifted for that area. Read the full Regional Stay Home Order, Supplement to the Order, and frequently asked questions.

January 7: Alameda County Expects State to Extend Regional Stay At Home Order View Alameda County's Approved Open & Closed Businesses

December 10: ABC provides industry guidance on cocktails to-go and sale of sealed containers; Alameda County will align and follow this guidance.

December 3: Alameda County's Statement on the State's Regional Stay-At-Home Order.

November 19: The State issued a Limited Stay at Home Order. Read the FAQs for additional insight. Non-essential businesses, those that are NOT defined as critical infrastructure, should end business operations at 10 p.m. Essential work is permitted to continue, and food and beverage takeout services are still permitted.

November 17: Alameda County updated their Restaurant Operating Procedures including more detailed guidance related to canopies and covered sides based on additional information received from the State: (English) (Spanish) (Chinese)

November 16: State Moves Alameda County to Purple Tier. Starting at 12:01 a.m. on November 18 previously open sectors and activities are restricted to State’s Purple Tier allowances and restrictions. Indoor dining must close. Retail store capacity is capped at 25%. Gyms and fitness centers may only operate outdoors. Hair Salons, Barbershops and Personal Care Services may continue to operate indoors with modifications.

November 12: Alameda County Pauses Further Openings of Activities

November 9: Joint Statement on Recommendations for Safer Holidays and Travel

October 15: Alameda County Highlights COVID-19 Guidance Available for the Arts Community

See Alameda County's COVID Recovery Page for relevant attachments.

Mask Required For Entry Poster: Arabic | Amharic | Burmese | Chinese (Simplified) | Chinese (Traditional) | English | Khmer | Korean | Spanish | Swahili | Tagalog | Tigrinya | Vietnamese

Face Covering Sign for Businesses by Alameda County (PDF): ENGLISH | SPANISH | CHINESE (Simplified) | CHINESE (Traditional) | KOREAN | ARABIC | TAGALOG | VIETNAMESE | CAMBODIAN

Mask On Sign for Businesses by Alameda County (PDF) in English, Chinese and Spanish

ReOpening Guide signs by the Oakland Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce (PDF), in partnership with Oaklandish and the Economic Recovery Advisory Council, 11" x 17" signs for download. Pick up hard copies from any Oakland Chamber, Business Improvement District or CIty Council office. ENGLISH | CHINESE | SPANISH | VIETNAMESE

Businesses seeking guidance on re-opening consistent with Alameda County guidelines should email covidrecovery@acgov.org.

Current COVID-19 vaccine supply is limited, and Alameda County is following the State’s vaccine prioritization guidance. As vaccine supplies increase, you will be able to get a vaccine through a County-administered point of dispensing (POD) or your health care provider.

Alameda County is currently in Phase 1a, and anticipates beginning Phase 1b in February (as vaccine supply allows). To receive a notification of when the vaccine might be available for you, please fill out one of these forms:

• Alameda County employers
• Alameda County residents
• Health Care Providers

Please note, this is NOT a registration to receive the vaccine. The information you provide is kept confidential and will help Alameda County in its planning. The County will contact you with further details about where the vaccine will be available when it is your turn.

In the meantime, please protect yourself from COVID-19 by wearing a mask, keeping your distance from others, avoiding crowds, and washing your hands frequently.

To learn more about vaccine planning in Alameda County, please visit their website.

To help the City gauge COVID-19 impacts to your business and what resources would help you as you plan for re-opening and recovery, please take our brief Business Re-opening and Recovery Survey. The survey launched in English and translated copy will be added shortly.

Review Alameda County Public Health Department's step-by-step instructions.

On January 1, 2021, AB 685 went into effect. The law requires businesses to notify employees of potential COVID-19 exposure at the workplace within one business day of exposure. The law remains in effect until January 1, 2023.

State of California industry guidelines to help businesses reduce risk and establish a safe, clean environment for workers and customers. Read the guidelines, find industry-specific checklists and learn more at: https://covid19.ca.gov/industry-guidance/

COVID-19 Employer Playbook for a Safe Reopening - Source: California Department of Public Health

Guidelines for Opening Up America Again – Source: White House

Update on California’s Pandemic Roadmap – Source: State of California

COVID-19 Guidance Documents - Source: California Department of Public Health

Planning Considerations for Organizations in Reconstituting Operations During the COVID-19 Pandemic – Source: FEMA

How-To guide for re-opening your workplace – Source: Cushman & Wakefield

Cushman & Wakefield Webinar

SAFE Retail - Considerations for Retail Operations Post COVID-19 - Source: Target

Reopening Resources by Industry - Source: International Economic Development Council

Guidance for Reopening Buildings After Prolonged Shutdown or Reduced Operation - Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention industry decision trees:

• Restaurants & Bars
• Child Care
• Youth Programs & Camps
• Workplaces
• Mass Transit
• Schools
• Office Buildings

Interim Guidance for Manufacturing Workers and Employers - Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Reopening Guidance for Cleaning and Disinfecting Public Spaces, Workplaces, Businesses, Schools, and Homes – Source: CDC

Guidance for Cleaning and Disinfecting – Source: CDC handout, April 28, 2020

Cleaning and Disinfection for Community Facilities – Source: CDC

Essential Business Support Fund and Returning California to Work COVID-19 Safety Protocol Fund is offering grants of up to $10,000 to State Fund policyholders to help defray the cost of safety expenses related to COVID-19 such as the purchase of googles, masks, gloves, cleaning supplies and services, and worksite modifications. Costs must be primarily related to employee safety. See their FAQ’s for more information. Grants are available until September 30.

California COVID-19 Employer Playbook: when and how an employer must report a COVID-19 positive employee; what is defined as an outbreak; and guidance for employers who may be considering whether to suspend operations due to COVID-19 spread in the workplace.

Criteria for Release from Home Isolation and/or Quarantine and Return to Work

When do I Self-Release from Isolation for COVID-19?

California-made Personal Protective Equipment Marketplace Source: California Manufacturers & Technology Association

Face Covering Required Signs in multiple languages - Source: Alameda County Public Health

Screening Guidance for Employers - Source: Alameda County Public Health
English | Arabic | Chinese (Simplified) | Chinese (Traditional) | Farsi | Khmer | Korean | Spanish | Tagalog | Vietnamese

Self-Assessment Guidance for Workers - Source: Alameda County Public Health
English | Arabic | Chinese (Simplified) | Chinese (Traditional) |Farsi | Khmer | Karen | Korean | Spanish | Tagalog | Vietnamese

OSHA COVID-19 Guidelines – Source: U.S. Department of Labor

OSHA Standards – Source: U.S. Department of Labor

Cal/OSHA Guidance on Requirements to Protect Workers from Coronavirus - Source: California Department of Industrial Relations

Workplace Outbreak Guidance for Employers - Source: California Department of Public Health

Oakland recently updated its Paid Sick Leave law to protect workers from COVID-19. Employers should read the new guidelines and post the regulations in a public place.

As Oakland restaurants are allowed by County Order to re-open in stages, industry-specific resources are available.

To specifically support businesses with curbside or storefront pickup, and/or delivery, the City is taking the following steps:

1. Streamlining Sidewalk and Roadway Permitting

In anticipation of further updates to Alameda County’s Shelter-in-Place Order, City departments are working to revise the permitting process for sidewalk and roadway encroachments to make it easier for retailers and restaurants to use larger portions of the sidewalk and roadway to support their businesses. The City is working to streamline permits for parklets, café seating and other uses to help businesses better meet physical distancing requirements, and anticipates issuing updated guidelines by the end of May. City departments want to hear from local businesses about how it can streamline permitting for creative ways to use larger portions of the sidewalk, adjacent parking spaces, and the broader street space to support businesses.

Learn about the Flex Streets Initiative.

2. Expediting White Curb Requests
In order to facilitate customer pick-up and delivery from Oakland businesses during the COVID-19 period, business owners can request a temporary white curb in front of their business. To request a temporary white curb, please contact Oak311 by dialing 311 or online at https://www.oaklandca.gov/services/oak311.

“Spend. Stay. Love. Oakland.” marketing campaign
From August, Visit Oakland will be hosting a “Spend. Stay. Love. Oakland” digital marketing and social media campaign, encouraging locals to spend their time and money in The Town. The campaign will take on a shop local focus for the holiday season.

Visit Oakland is creating a new landing page that will link to all of their business directories – from restaurants and retail to outdoors and events – that are pivoting during COVID-19.

If you have an upcoming event or outdoor dining special that you would like promoted through the “Spend. Stay. Love. Oakland.” campaign, please log into the Visit Oakland Partner Portal to update your listing.

If you need further assistance, email partnerships@visitoakland.com and a Visit Oakland team member will be in touch.