After much wait, starting on Monday San Francisco will reopen several businesses and activities, including indoor hair salons, barber shops, massage parlors and nail salons.
The announcement comes nearly two weeks after the city was removed from the state’s COVID-19 watchlist, and after the city began allowing personal services like haircuts, massages and nail services to resume outdoors.
Under the latest plan, those services can resume indoors on Monday, as well as services like tattooing and piercing. Also, indoor gyms, hotels, outdoor tour buses, open-air boats, drive-in movies, and outdoor entertainment like mini golf and batting cages can reopen Monday, but all with limited capacity, however.
Churches will also reopen Monday, but only for individual prayers and for outdoor services of up to 50 people.
“I’m so glad we can move forward earlier than expected to reopen more businesses that have been closed since March. These businesses have been struggling, and starting Monday, they’ll finally be able to serve customers again, with the necessary safety precautions and modifications in place,” Mayor London Breed said in a statement.
“It’s on all of us to keep doing our part so that we can get more businesses reopened, get our kids back in school, and keep making progress on our economic recovery. Wearing face coverings when you go out, keeping your distance, and washing your hands will help us keep the rate of transmission down and will help San Francisco recover from this pandemic,” she said.
“This is good news for thousands of hotel workers and a good day for everyone who loves San Francisco,” said Hotel Council of San Francisco President and CEO Kevin Carroll. “Tourism is the beating heart of San Francisco and our hotels are out city’s smiling face. This truly marks a turning point in our recovery — economically and psychologically. San
Francisco’s hotels being allowed to reopen is a true sign to the world that San Francisco itself is reopening.”
Also happening on Monday, the city will open its 40 Community Learning Hubs, which aim to provide in-person learning and recreational opportunities for students most at need, as in-person learning remains on hold.
But through a waiver application process, some elementary schools may start to open as soon as Sept. 21. Also on Sept. 21, indoor museums, zoos and aquariums will be able to reopen.
Under the city’s reopening plan, by the end of this month, churches and other places of worship may reopen with up to 25 people for indoor services. Then in October, middle schools would be able resume in-person learning, with high schools expected to reopen in November.
“We will continue our gradual reopening as it allows us to monitor the spread, manage its immediate challenges and mitigate the long-term impact on our city,” said Health Director Dr. Grant Colfax. “Our success is contingent on everyone doing their part, including wearing face coverings, social distancing, and avoid large gatherings.”
More information about the reopenings can be found at https://sf.gov/topics/reopening.