As of April 18, 2022, Alameda County Continues COVID-19 Quarantine Requirements in Alignment with the CDC. Quarantine is required for residents who are not fully vaccinated and are close contacts of someone who has tested positive for COVID, regardless of their symptom status. Alameda County is aligned with the State’s K-12 and childcare quarantine guidance, and this announcement does not impact children and youth in these settings.
State Updates Mask Mandate
Effective March 1, the requirement for unvaccinated persons to mask in most indoor public settings and businesses was replaced by a strong recommendation that all persons, regardless of vaccination status, continue to mask
while in indoor public settings and businesses. Alameda County has aligned with the State’s masking announcement.
Masks are still required in the following indoor settings, regardless of vaccination status.
- On public transit (e.g., airplanes, ships, ferries, trains, subways, buses, taxis, and ride-shares) and in transportation hubs (e.g., airport, bus terminal, marina, train station, seaport or other port, subway station, or any other area that provides transportation)
- Emergency shelters and cooling and heating centers
- Healthcare settings (applies to all healthcare settings, including those that are not covered by the State Health Officer Order issued on July 26, 2021)
- Homeless shelters
- Long-Term Care Settings & Adult and Senior Care Facilities
Additionally, masks are strongly recommended for all persons, regardless of vaccine status, in indoor public settings and businesses (e.g., retail, restaurants, theaters, family entertainment centers, meetings, state and local government offices serving the public, etc.). In settings where masks are strongly recommended, businesses, venue operators or hosts should consider:
- Providing information to all patrons, guests and attendees regarding masking recommendations for all persons, regardless of vaccine status.
- Providing information to all patrons, guests and attendees to consider better fit and filtration for masks [Surgical masks or higher-level respirators (e.g., N95s, KN95s, KF94s) with good fit are recommended over cloth masks].
- Requiring all patrons to wear masks, especially when risk in the community may be high, or if those being served are at high-risk for severe disease or illness.
- Requiring attendees who do not provide proof of vaccination to enter indoor Mega Events to continue masking during the event, especially when not actively eating or drinking.
New Oakland Proof of Vaccination Requirements - On December 21, 2022, the Oakland City Council passed an emergency ordinance to reduce the spread of COVID-19 that requires people to show proof of vaccination to enter many indoor facilities. Businesses are required to post a notice by January 15, 2022. Starting February 1, people will be required to show proof that they have been vaccinated to enter some places in Oakland, like:
- Establishments or events where food or drink is served including restaurants, bars, coffee houses, clubs, and banquet halls
- Entertainment venues including theaters, concert venues, museums, and recreation facilities
- Gyms, fitness centers and yoga studios
- Senior adult care facilities and City senior programs
- City Hall
- Large indoor events at City- and privately-owned facilities
Learn more at: www.oaklandca.gov/VaxOrdinance
On December 16, 2021, the Cal/OSHA Board voted to re-adopt the Cal/OSHA COVID-19 Prevention Emergency Temporary Standards (ETS) which includes several updates that affect investigating and responding to COVID-19 cases in the workplace, face coverings, testing and exclusion, and return to work criteria. These changes went into effect on January 14, 2022. For more information, see Cal/OSHA COVID-19 Prevention ETS Update - What Employers Need to Know.
While the Federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) in the U.S. Department of Labor has withdrawn its emergency temporary standard (ETS) to minimize the risk of COVID-19 transmission in the workplace as an enforceable standard, it remains a proposed rule. OSHA strongly encourages the vaccination of workers.
Additionally, CDPH updated requirements for attending mega events, like concerts and sporting events. Prior to attending an event, attendees will now be required to show either proof of vaccination, a negative antigen COVID-19 test within one day of the event, or a negative PCR test within two days of the event.
CDPH also issued a travel advisory effective immediately to recommend that all travelers arriving in California test for COVID-19 within three to five days after arrival, regardless of their vaccination status.
On October 27, 2021, the California Department of Public Health updated its Mega Events guidance. The following changes are now in effect:
- On December 1, 2021, all attendees age 18 and older must provide identification to confirm the individual presenting proof of vaccination or negative test is the attendee entering the facility or venue. This guidance is required for indoor mega events and recommended for outdoor mega events.
- The expiration date for the Beyond the Blueprint guidance has been removed.
For more information, visit the CDPH Beyond the Blueprint page.
September 28, 2021: CDPH issued a public health order requiring COVID-19 vaccinations for workers in adult and senior care facilities and those employed in in-home direct care settings by November 30. Release in other Languages
September 10, 2021: The Alameda County Public Health Officer updated the Alameda County Quarantine Order. Quarantine keeps a person who was in close contact with someone who has COVID-19 away from others. As part of this update, individuals who are in quarantine can possibly end their quarantine on day 7 if they receive a negative COVID-19 test on or after their 5th day of quarantine. For additional details and information see the Quarantine Order and the County's Quarantine page.
July 26, 2021: California puts vaccine verification in effect for healthcare workers and state employees
Alameda County Workplace Guidance
All businesses permitted to operate indoors must follow the CDPH interim guidance for ventilation, filtration, and air quality. This guidance includes practical steps your business can take to promote better ventilation, filtration, and air quality indoors to reduce the spread of COVID-19.
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