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Social Distancing Order
State of California Blueprint for a Safer Economy
Modified 4/7/21
Thanks to the growing number of vaccinated residents and the hard work of all Contra Costans to reduce the spread of the COVID-19, some business and community activities can now resume with Contra Costa County’s move to the orange tier of the State’s Blueprint for a Safer Economy. Until the pandemic is over, face coverings, physical distancing, avoiding crowds and getting vaccinated are all vital ways that we can protect ourselves and our community from COVID-19. Let’s keep Contra Costa moving in the right direction!
Starting Wednesday, April 7 several business sectors and community services can reopen or expand capacity:
- Amusement parks: Overall park capacity and indoor capacity will be limited to 25%, including indoor dining.
- Bars: Outdoors with modifications; no meals required to be served
- Breweries, Distilleries, and Wineries: Indoors at 25% maximum capacity or 100 people, whichever is fewer; no meals required to be served
- Family entertainment centers: Indoors for naturally distanced activities like bowling, escape rooms, and billiards; 25% maximum capacity
- Gyms, fitness centers and studios (including at hotels): 25% maximum capacity and indoor pools are permitted; Indoor hot tubs, saunas, and steam rooms continue to be closed
- Movie Theaters: 50% maximum capacity or 200 people, whichever is fewer encouraged
- Outdoor sports and live performances with fans/attendees: Up to 33% and with advanced reservations only. Concession sales will be primarily in-seat (no concourse sales). Designated indoor seated dining area capacity will be limited to 25%. Attendance will be limited to in-state spectators and guests must attest their reserved seats are only for one household.
- Places of worship: 50% maximum capacity
- Restaurants: 50% maximum capacity or 200 people, whichever is fewer
- Retail: Open indoors with modifications and food courts permitted with indoor dining restrictions
Additional Information:
- Press Release: Contra Costa County Moving into the Orange Tier - 4/6/2021
- Contra Costa County Openings at a Glance
- Frequently Asked Questions
- State of California Industry-Specific Guidance
Wearing a Mask is Required Statewide
Health Order Requiring Face Coverings - 7/5/20
This Order requires that all individuals in Contra Costa County, over the age of 2 years, wear face coverings in accordance with guidance issued by the State of California. Subject to the exemptions set forth in the State Face Covering Guidance, including but not limited to exemptions in industry guidance documents issued by the State of California, individuals and businesses in the County must comply with the following local requirements, as applicable:
Individuals shall wear Face Coverings when less than 6 feet away from any person who is not a member of the individual’s household or living unit.
Individuals must wear Face Coverings when inside or on the grounds of, or waiting in line to enter, any business.
Click below to read the following documents:
- Full Health Order
- California Department of Public Health – Guidance for the Use of Face Coverings
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Face Covering Tips from CDC
More Information
If you have questions about the Health Orders, you can reach the Contra Costa County Call Center in English or Spanish at 1-844-729-8410, 8 AM - 5 PM. After hours, call 211 if you need assistance.
You can view answers to Frequently Asked Questions on the Contra Costa Health Services’ website.
Outings
When leaving your residence to engage in allowed activities, residents are to comply with the health order's requirement for social distancing. Additionally, face covers are required.
Social Distancing
“Social Distancing Requirements” means:
(a) Maintaining at least 6-foot social distancing from individuals who are not part of the same household or living unit;
(b) Frequently washing hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, or using hand sanitizer that is recognized by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as effective in combatting COVID-19;
(c) Covering coughs and sneezes with a tissue or fabric or, if not possible, into the sleeve or elbow (but not into hands); and
(d) Avoiding all social interaction outside the household when sick with a fever, cough, or other COVID-19 symptoms.
Face Covers
Contra Costa Health Services has issued an order requiring members of the public and workers to wear face coverings. View the order.
Virtual Recreation Center
The City of Richmond has launched a Virtual Recreation Center with lots of ideas for indoor and outdoor activities for you and your family, such as:
- Get your fill of cuteness by viewing live video streams from zoos like San Diego Zoo, Monterey Bay Aquarium, and Oakland Zoo.
- Immerse yourself in the beauty of the National Cherry Blossom Festival.
- Go on a virtual journey with your family of National Parks.
- Take a virtual tour of one of many museums around the world.
- Yellow Stone Park has a virtual tour available as well.
- Jam out to live music concerts with your favorite artists on NPR Live.
Ideas for Children
Educational Resources
- Scholastic At Home
- Khan Academy Schedule
- Collection of Parent eLearning Resources (State Educational Technology Directors Association)
- Best Special Education Apps and Websites (Common Sense Education)
Library Services
The Richmond Public Library offers numerous links to activities and resources, as well as an ever-expanding collection of ebooks. Residents can get an instant digital Richmond Library card to use with OverDrive with their cell phone - details at https://richmondlibrary.overdrive.com/
Community Ideas
- 510 Families Guide for East Bay Parents
- Organize a scavenger hunt or "find a teddy bear" event in your neighborhood
- Write uplifting messages for your neighbors using side walk chalk
Exercise Options
Indoor
The Richmond Virtual Recreation Center has great resources available for indoor exercise, including:
- Participate in free P.E. with Joe live workouts on YouTube, Mondays through Fridays starting at 9:00 A.M.
- Take some free yoga classes, with videos available for all ages. Find the one that fits you!
- Access hundreds of free full-length workout videos at FitnessBlender.com.
- Exercises to do with your kids
- Cosmic Kids Yoga.
Outdoor
You are allowed to engage in some outdoor activities under the current shelter-in-place health order, as long as you follow the mandatory social distancing requirement (maintaining at least six feet between individuals).
Check out the infographic below about social distancing in public parks and trails, and make sure to follow these guidelines while engaging in any of our suggested outdoor activities.
Examples of Permissible Activity
- Golf (though people should not share carts)
- Tennis (singles, not doubles)
- Pickleball (singles, not doubles)
- Skate parks
- Swimming in outdoor pools
- Camping
- Shooting and archery ranges
- Gyms and fitness centers (maximum 10% capacity indoors)
- Outdoor playgrounds
Please be aware that there may be prohibited activities under the Contra Costa Health Order that impact your outdoor activities in public spaces, such as:
- Recreational team sports (baseball, basketball, soccer, football, etc.)
- Indoor swimming pools (except those associated with an indoor camp)
- Saunas and steam rooms
- Personal training
- Indoor playgrounds (including bounce centers, ball pits & laser tag)
For the latest information, view the County's health order or FAQs.