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Tools and resources to help businesses reopen responsibly
Page last updated: Jan. 13, 2021 8:18 a.m.
Current Status
January 13, 2021
With the regional stay-at-home order now lifted in Placer County, purple tier restrictions under the state's Blueprint for a Safer Economy remain in effect. See what's open here.January 13, 2021
Guidance for Temporary Structures for Outdoor Business Operations
As it starts to get colder, restaurants and other businesses required to operate outdoors may wish to enclose outdoor temporary structures like tents and canopies to contain heat and avoid rain. Find out what qualifies as outdoor operations in the new CDPH guidance for temporary structures.
As California reopens, every business will need to create a safer, low-risk environment. If you own or manage a business, follow the guidance below to protect your workers and customers.
On June 18, 2020, CDPH issued Guidance on the Use of Face Coverings (PDF), which broadly requires the use of face coverings in California when in public or common spaces. Complete details, including all requirements and exceptions to these rules, can be found in the guidance.
The industry-specific guidance below applies to businesses statewide. Review the guidance that is relevant to your workplace, make a plan, and put it into action. Post your completed checklist so everyone can know the steps you’ve taken. Feel free to add more safety measures to the ones listed here.
All industries
The Employer Playbook for a Safe Reopening provides guidance for employers to help them plan and prepare for reopening their business and to support a safe, clean environment for workers and customers. The guidance and links in each section are provided to give employers the tools they need to open safely and mitigate risks associated with COVID-19.
Before reopening, all facilities must:
- Perform a detailed risk assessment and create a site-specific protection plan
- Train employees on how to limit the spread of COVID-19. This includes how to screen themselves for symptoms and when to stay home.
- Set up individual control measures and screenings
- Put disinfection protocols in place
- Establish physical distancing guidelines
It’s important that employees with COVID-19 know they should stay home. Your sick leave policies will need to support that. See information on:
Widespread (purple): Closed
Substantial (red): Closed
Moderate (orange):
- Smaller parks can open with modifications
- Capacity must be limited to 25% or 500 people, whichever is less
- Outdoor attractions only can open
- Reservations or advanced ticket sales required
- Local attendees only (from the same county as the park’s location)
Minimal (yellow):
- Larger parks can open with modifications
- Park capacity must be limited to 25%
- Reservations or advanced ticket sales required
Follow this guidance for amusement parks and theme parks. Review the guidance and prepare a plan to support a safe, clean environment for workers and visitors. This guidance includes additional considerations for:
- Admission, entry, and security
- All rides and attractions
- Dining and concessions
- Performances, interactive exhibits, and events
- Uniform, costume, and wardrobe protocols
Tier status:
Widespread (purple):
- Outdoor only with modifications
- Racetracks may resume training and competition without live audiences, subject to approval by county public health officers
Substantial (red):
- Outdoor only with modifications
- Racetracks may resume training and competition without live audiences, subject to approval by county public health officers Moderate (orange) - Indoor with modifications
- Capacity must be limited to 25% Racetracks may resume training and competition without live audiences, subject to approval by county public health officers
Minimal (yellow)
- Indoor with modifications
- Capacity must be limited to 50%
- Racetracks may resume training and competition without live audiences, subject to approval by county public health officers
Outdoor operations of cardrooms and satellite wagering facilities
- Follow this guidance for outdoor operations of cardrooms and satellite wagering facilities to support a safer environment for workers and patrons.
- Review the guidance, prepare a plan, and post the checklist for outdoor cardrooms and satellite wagering in your workplace to show customers and employees that you’ve reduced the risk and are open for business.
Cardrooms, satellite wagering facilities, and racetracks with onsite wagering
- Follow this guidance for cardrooms, racetracks, and satellite wagering to support a safer environment for workers and patrons.
- Review the guidance, prepare a plan, and post the checklist for cardrooms, racetracks, and satellite wagering in your workplace to show customers and employees that you’ve reduced the risk and are open for business.
Follow the guidance for the childcare industry to minimize the spread of COVID-19.
Follow the case and contact management guidance, which includes:
- What to do when kids or staff develop symptoms while in the facility.
- What to do for kids and adults who may have been exposed to someone with COVID-19.
- When closure of a facility should be considered, and when it can reopen.
See the answers to frequently asked questions about waivers that are available to providers.
Review the guidance, prepare a plan, and post the checklist for childcare in your facility to show employees and families that you’ve reduced the risk and are open for operation.
Cohorts of kids and adults in controlled, supervised settings
A cohort is a stable group of no more than 14 children or youth and no more than two supervising adults in a supervised environment. The group stays together for all activities, including meals and recreation. And this group avoids contact with anyone not in their group.
Follow the guidance for cohorts of children and youth in controlled, supervised and indoor environments. These environments include, but are not limited to, the following:
- public and private schools
- licensed and license-exempt child care settings
- organized and supervised care environments, like “distance learning hubs”
- recreation programs
- before and after school programs
- youth groups
- day camps
See the answers to frequently asked questions about cohort guidance.
Kids and adults in supervised care environments must be in groups as small as possible. Kids and supervising adults in one group must not physically interact with:
- kids and supervising adults in other groups
- other facility staff
- parents of kids in other groups
Practicing a cohort structure:
- decreases opportunities for exposure to or transmission of the virus
- facilitates more efficient contact tracing in the event of a positive case
- allows for targeted testing, quarantine, and isolation of a single group instead of an entire population of kids and supervising adults
Kids and adults in supervised care environments must be in groups as small as possible. Kids and supervising adults in one group must not physically interact with:
- kids and supervising adults in other groups
- other facility staff
- parents of kids in other groups
Practicing a cohort structure:
- decreases opportunities for exposure to or transmission of the virus
- facilitates more efficient contact tracing in the event of a positive case
- allows for targeted testing, quarantine, and isolation of a single group instead of an entire population of kids and supervising adults
The guidance related to cohorts sets minimum guidelines for providing specialized, targeted support services, necessary in-person child supervision and limited instruction, and facilitation of distance learning in small group environments in ways that maintain the focus on health and safety to minimize transmission. This guidance enables schools to provide specialized services for students with disabilities and English learners, and in-person support for at-risk and high-need students.
- See the answers to frequently asked questions about cohort guidance in K-12 school settings.
- See the answers to frequently asked questions about cohorts and waivers for childcare providers.
- Follow the case and contact management guidance related to cohorts for childcare facilities.
Local educational agencies, nonprofits, or other authorized providers must follow the guidance for cohorts of children and youth in controlled, supervised and indoor environments. These environments include, but are not limited to, the following:
- public and private schools
- licensed and license-exempt child care settings
- organized and supervised care environments, like “distance learning hubs”
- recreation programs
- before and after school programs
- youth groups
- day camps
Guidance and directives related to schools, childcare, day camps, youth sports, and institutions of higher education are not superseded by this guidance for cohorts of children and youth and still apply to those specified settings.
Review the guidance, prepare a plan, and post the checklist for day camps in your facility to show employees, campers, and families that you’ve reduced the risk and are open for operation.
Cohorts of kids and adults in controlled, supervised settings
A cohort is a stable group of no more than 14 children or youth and no more than two supervising adults in a supervised environment. The group stays together for all activities, including meals and recreation. And this group avoids contact with anyone not in their group.
Follow the guidance for cohorts of children and youth in controlled, supervised and indoor environments. These environments include, but are not limited to, the following:
- public and private schools
- licensed and license-exempt child care settings
- organized and supervised care environments, like “distance learning hubs”
- recreation programs
- before and after school programs
- youth groups
- day camps
See the answers to frequently asked questions about cohort guidance.
Kids and adults in supervised care environments must be in groups as small as possible. Kids and supervising adults in one group must not physically interact with:
- kids and supervising adults in other groups
- other facility staff
- parents of kids in other groups
Practicing a cohort structure:
- decreases opportunities for exposure to or transmission of the virus
- facilitates more efficient contact tracing in the event of a positive case
- allows for targeted testing, quarantine, and isolation of a single group instead of an entire population of kids and supervising adults
Review the guidance, prepare a plan, and post the checklist for the energy and utilities industry in your workplace to show customers and employees that you’ve reduced the risk and are open for business.
Widespread (purple):
- Outdoor only with modifications
- Saunas and steam rooms must close
Substantial (red):
- Indoor with modifications
- Capacity must be limited to 10%
- Climbing walls can open
Moderate (orange)
- Indoor with modifications
- Capacity must be limited to 25%
- Climbing walls can open
- Indoor pools can open
Minimal (yellow)
- Indoor with modifications
- Capacity must be limited to 50%
- Climbing walls can open
- Indoor pools can open
- Saunas, spas, and steam rooms can open
Follow this guidance for gyms and fitness centers, including yoga and dance studios, to create a safer environment for workers, customers and the public.
This guidance includes additional considerations for:
- Communal restrooms and shower facilities
- Swimming pools and aquatic venues
Review the guidance, prepare a plan, and post the checklist for gyms and fitness centers in your workplace to show customers and employees that you’ve reduced the risk and are open for business.
Review the guidance, prepare a plan, and post the checklist for hair salons in your workplace to show customers and employees that you’ve reduced the risk and are open for business.
Widespread (purple):
- Closed for indoor lectures and student gatherings
- Some courses conducted in certain indoor settings, like labs and studio arts, may be open
Substantial (red):
- Capacity for indoor lectures and student gatherings must be limited to 25% or 100 people, whichever is less
- Some courses conducted in certain indoor settings, like labs and studio arts, may be open at regular capacity
- Conduct student activities virtually when possible
Moderate (orange):
- Capacity for indoor lectures and student gatherings must be limited to 50% or 200 people, whichever is less
- Some courses conducted in certain indoor settings, like labs and studio arts, may be open at regular capacity
- Conduct student activities virtually when possible
Minimal (yellow):
- Capacity for indoor lectures and student gatherings must be limited to 50%
- Some courses conducted in certain indoor settings, like labs and studio arts, may be open at regular capacity
- Conduct student activities virtually when possible
This interim guidance for institutions of higher education provides guidelines to help institutions and their communities plan and prepare to resume in-person instruction. It includes interim guidance for collegiate athletics to help plan for and prepare to resume training and competition. Review the guidance and prepare a plan to reduce the risk and support a safer environment for students, faculty, workers, and families.
Widespread (purple):
- Open with modifications
- Fitness centers can be open outdoors only with modifications
- Saunas and steam rooms must close
Substantial (red):
- Open with modifications
- Fitness centers can open to 10% capacity
Moderate (orange):
- Open with modifications
- Fitness centers can open to 25% capacity
- Indoor pools can open
Minimal (yellow):
- Open with modifications
- Fitness centers can open to 50% capacity
- Indoor pools can open
- Spa facilities can open
Follow this guidance for hotels and short-term lodging rentals for tourism and individual travel to create a safer environment for workers and customers.
This guidance includes additional considerations for:
- Short-term rental units
- Swimming pools and aquatic venues
Review the guidance, prepare a plan, and post the checklist for hotels, lodging, and short-term lodging rentals in your workplace to show customers and employees that you’ve reduced the risk and are open for business.
Review the guidance, prepare a plan, and post the checklist for the life sciences industry in your workplace to show customers and employees that you’ve reduced the risk and are open for business.
- Laundromats
- Dry cleaners
- Auto repair shops
- Car washes
- Landscapers
- Door-to-door services and sales
- Pet grooming
- Dog walking
This guidance also applies to:
- Residential and janitorial cleaning services
- HVAC services
- Appliance repair
- Electricians
- Plumbers
- Mechanical tradespersons
- Handypersons
- General contractors
Review the guidance, prepare a plan, and post the checklist for limited services in your workplace to show clients and employees that you’ve reduced the risk and are open for business.
This guidance is not intended for:
- In-home healthcare, other in-home care, or assisted living
- Services that require close customer contact, including:
- Hair salons
- Barbershops
- Nail salons
- Massage parlors
- Estheticians
- Ear piercing
- Tattoo parlors
See guidance for hair salons and barbershops and guidance for personal care services.
Review the guidance, prepare a plan, and post the checklist for the logistics/warehousing industry in your workplace to show customers and employees that you’ve reduced the risk and are open for business.
Review the guidance, prepare a plan, and post the checklist for the manufacturing industry in your workplace to show customers and employees that you’ve reduced the risk and are open for business.
Review the guidance, prepare a plan, and post the checklist for the mining and logging industries in your workplace to show customers and employees that you’ve reduced the risk and are open for business.
Widespread (purple)
- Movie theaters: Outdoor only with modifications
- Family entertainment centers: Outdoor only with modifications for activities like kart racing, mini golf, batting cages
- Playgrounds: Outdoor only with modifications
Substantial (red)
Movie theaters:
- Indoor with modifications
- Capacity must be limited to 25% or 100 people, whichever is less
Family entertainment centers:
- Outdoor only with modifications for activities like kart racing, mini golf, batting cages
Playgrounds: Outdoor only with modifications
Moderate (orange)
Movie theaters:
- Indoor with modifications
- Capacity must be limited to 50% or 200 people, whichever is less
Family entertainment centers:
- Outdoor with modifications for activities like kart racing, mini golf, batting cages
- Indoor with modifications for naturally distanced activities, like bowling alleys and escape rooms
- Capacity must be limited to 25%
Playgrounds: Outdoor only with modifications
Minimal (yellow)
Movie theaters:
- Indoor with modifications
- Capacity must be limited to 50%
Family entertainment centers:
- Outdoor with modifications for activities like kart racing, mini golf, batting cages
- Indoor with modifications for naturally distanced activities, like bowling alleys and escape rooms
- Indoor with modifications for activities with increased risk of proximity and mixing, like arcade games, ice and roller skating, and indoor playgrounds
- Capacity must be limited to 50%
Playgrounds: Outdoor only with modifications
Movie theaters
Follow this guidance for movie theaters to support a safe, clean environment for workers and customers. This guidance includes additional considerations for indoor movie theaters and drive-in movie theaters.
Family entertainment centers
Follow this guidance for family entertainment centers, like bowling alleys, miniature golf, batting cages, and arcades, to support a safe, clean environment for workers and customers. Review the guidance, prepare a plan, and post the checklist for family entertainment centers in your workplace to show customers and employees that you’ve reduced the risk and are open for business.
Outdoor playgrounds
Outdoor playgrounds can open with modifications in all tiers. See requirements for outdoor playgrounds to keep them safe and fun for everyone.
Widespread (purple): Outdoor only with modifications
Substantial (red)
- Indoor with modifications
- Indoor activities must be limited to 25% of capacity
Moderate (orange)
- Indoor with modifications
- Indoor activities must be limited to 50% of capacity
Minimal (yellow): Indoor with modifications
Follow this guidance for zoos, museums, galleries, botanical gardens, aquariums and other similar spaces to create a safer environment for workers and customers. This guidance is not intended for zoos, amusement parks, or indoor gallery and museum spaces.
Review the guidance, prepare a plan, and post the checklist for zoos, museums, galleries and aquariums in your workplace to show customers and employees that you’ve reduced the risk and are open for business.
To reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission, productions, cast, crew and other industry workers should abide by safety protocols agreed by labor and management, which may be further enhanced by county public health officers. Back office staff and management should follow the guidance for office workspaces.
Widespread (purple): Remote work
Substantial (red): Remote work
Moderate (orange): Indoor with modifications, encourage telework
Minimal (yellow): Indoor with modifications, encourage telework
Follow this guidance for office workspaces to create a safer environment for workers.
Faith-based office workspaces can reopen within the following parameters:
1. Faith-based facilities are considered “offices” only for those employed by the organization and where the facility is their regular place of work.
2. The employer should implement state guidance relating to offices before reopening the facility for employees.
3. This designation does not permit gatherings of non-employees, such as the organization’s congregation.
Review the guidance, prepare a plan, and post the checklist for office workspaces in your workplace to show customers and employees that you’ve reduced the risk and are open for business.
Review the guidance and prepare a plan for your workplace to show customers and employees that you’ve reduced the risk and are open for business.
Outdoor playgrounds can open with modifications in all tiers. See requirements for outdoor playgrounds to keep them safe and fun for everyone.
Outdoor skateparks can open with modifications in all tiers. Attendees must adhere to physical distancing requirements and mask wearing as outlined in the outdoor playground guidance.
Follow this guidance for personal care services like nail salons, tattoo parlors, and body waxing to create a safer environment for workers and patrons. This guidance applies to services that require touching a client’s face, like facials, electrolysis, and waxing. It also applies to esthetic services, skin care, and massage therapy. Review the guidance, prepare a plan, and post the checklist for personal care services in your workplace to show customers and employees that you’ve reduced the risk and are open for business.
This guidance includes additional considerations for:
- Esthetic and skin care services
- Electrology services
- Nail services
- Body art professionals, tattoo parlors, and piercing shops
- Massage services (in non-healthcare settings)
Widespread (purple): Outdoor only with modifications
Substantial (red)
- Indoor with modifications
- Indoor activities must be limited to 25% of capacity or 100 people, whichever is less
Moderate (orange)
- Indoor with modifications
- Indoor activities must be limited to 50% of capacity or 200 people, whichever is less
Minimal (yellow)
- Indoor with modifications
- Indoor activities must be limited to 50% of capacity
Follow this guidance for places of worship and providers of religious services and cultural ceremonies, like weddings and funerals, to create a safer environment for workers and visitors.
Review the guidance, prepare a plan, and post the checklist for places of worship and cultural ceremonies in your workplace to show workers and visitors that you’ve reduced the risk and are open for business.
Tier status:
Widespread (purple):
- Open with modifications
- No live audiences
Substantial (red):
- Open with modifications
- No live audiences
Moderate (orange):
- Open with modifications
- Permanent venues with live audiences outdoors only
- Capacity must be limited to 20%
- Reservations required
- Assigned seating only
- In-seat concessions only (no concourse sales)
- Regional attendees only (within 120 miles)
Minimal (yellow):
- Open with modifications
- Permanent venues with live audiences outdoors only
- Capacity must be limited to 25%
- Reservations required
- Assigned seating only
- In-seat concessions only (no concourse sales)
- Regional attendees only (within 120 miles)
Follow this guidance for professional sports outdoors with live audiences to support a safe, clean environment for workers and guests. This guidance applies to outdoor operations of sporting event venues like stadiums and racetracks. Review the guidance and prepare a plan to support a safe environment for players, coaches, spectators, and workers.
This guidance includes additional considerations for:
- Entry and security
- Venue support operations, like sound and lighting
Athletes, coaching staff, medical staff, broadcasting staff and others at sporting facilities or events should refer to COVID-19 protocols agreed to by labor and management. Local health departments may further enhance these protocols. Back office staff and management should follow the guidance for office workspaces.
Professional sports may resume training and competition without live audiences, subject to approval by county public health officers. This guidance does not apply to semi-professional, amateur, or recreational sports.
Review the guidance, prepare a plan, and post the checklist for public transit agencies in your workplace to show customers and employees that you’ve reduced the risk and are open for business.
Shared transportation in agriculture
Shared transportation is common in agriculture. Employers may provide shared transportation for workers. Workers may arrange a carpool to and from the worksite. Check the additional considerations for shared transportation in agriculture to support a safe, clean environment for passengers and drivers.
Review the guidance, prepare a plan, and post the checklist for the real estate industry in your workplace to show customers and employees that you’ve reduced the risk and are open for business.
Widespread (purple)
Restaurants: Outdoor only with modifications
Wineries and tasting rooms: Outdoor only with modifications
Bars, breweries, and distilleries: Closed
Substantial (red)
Restaurants:
- Indoor with modifications
- Capacity must be limited to 25% or 100 people, whichever is less
Wineries and tasting rooms: Outdoor only with modifications
Bars, breweries, and distilleries: Closed
Moderate (orange)
Restaurants:
- Indoor with modifications
- Capacity must be limited to 50% or 200 people, whichever is less
Wineries and tasting rooms:
- Indoor with modifications
- Capacity must be limited to 25% or 100 people, whichever is less
Bars, breweries, and distilleries: Outdoor only with modifications
Minimal (yellow)
Restaurants:
- Indoor with modifications
- Capacity must be limited to 50%
Wineries and tasting rooms:
- Indoor with modifications
- Capacity must be limited to 50% or 200 people, whichever is less
Bars, breweries, and distilleries:
- Indoor with modifications
- Capacity must be limited to 50%
Restaurants
Follow this guidance for restaurants to create a safer environment for workers and patrons. Review the guidance and prepare a plan for your workplace to show customers and employees that you’ve reduced the risk and are open for business. Review the guidance, prepare a plan, and post the checklist for restaurants in your workplace to show customers and employees that you’ve reduced the risk and are open for business.
Wineries and tasting rooms
Follow this guidance for wineries and tasting rooms that do not serve meals to support a safe, clean environment for workers and customers. Review the guidance, prepare a plan, and post the checklist for wineries in your workplace to show customers and employees that you’ve reduced the risk and are open for business. Establishments that serve meals must follow the guidance and checklist for restaurants.
Bars, breweries, and distilleries
Follow this guidance for bars, breweries, and distilleries that do not serve meals to support a safe, clean environment for workers and customers. Establishments that serve meals must follow the guidance for restaurants. Review the guidance, prepare a plan, and post the checklist for bars in your workplace to show customers and employees that you’ve reduced the risk and are open for business. Establishments that serve meals must follow the guidance and checklist for restaurants.
Widespread (purple)
- Open with modifications
- Retail capacity must be limited to 25%
- Grocery store capacity must be limited to 50%
Substantial (red)
- Open with modifications
- Retail capacity must be limited to 50%
Moderate (orange): Indoor with modifications
Minimal (yellow): Indoor with modifications
Follow this guidance for retailers to create a safer environment for workers and customers. Review the guidance, prepare a plan, and post the checklist for retail in your workplace to show customers and employees that you’ve reduced the risk and are open for business.
Retailers and libraries can re-open, along with the manufacturing and logistics sectors that support retail.
Libraries should follow the guidance for retailers. The State Library has also released guidance for the re-opening of libraries for in-person services. See the State Library’s COVID-19 website for more information. Find resources for public libraries by the California Library Association and the State Library.
Drive-in and movie theaters can re-open with additional considerations. Check the guidance for movie theaters and family entertainment centers for details.
Retail doesn’t include personal services such as beauty salons, but does include the sale of goods such as:
- Bookstores
- Jewelry stores
- Toy stores
- Clothing and shoe stores
- Home and furnishing stores
- Sporting goods stores
- Florists
Retail stores identified in the essential workforce list can open for in-store shopping. They include:
- Retail facilities specializing in medical goods and supplies
- Grocery stores, pharmacies, convenience stores, and other retail that sells food or beverage products, and animal/pet food
- Fuel centers such as gas stations and truck stops
- Hardware and building materials stores, consumer electronics, technology and appliances retail
California has updated the guidance and framework for reopening K-12 schools for in-person learning for the 2020-2021 school year. Learn more in the COVID-19 and Reopening In-Person Instruction Framework & Public Health Guidance for K-12 Schools in California, 2020-2021 School Year (PDF). Schools must also follow the guidance related to cohorts of children and youth. For school-sponsored youth sports, follow the guidance for youth sports. Visit Safe Schools for All for the latest information and resources about COVID-19 and schools.
Widespread (purple):
- Open with modifications
- Indoor capacity must be limited to 25% for shopping malls, destination shopping centers, and swap meets
- Closed common areas
- Closed food courts
Substantial (red):
- Open with modifications
- Indoor capacity must be limited to 50% for shopping malls, destination shopping centers, and swap meets
- Closed common areas
- Reduced capacity food courts (see restaurant guidance)
Moderate (orange):
- Open with modifications
- Closed common areas
- Reduced capacity food courts (see restaurant guidance)
Minimal (yellow):
- Open with modifications
- Reduced capacity food courts (see restaurant guidance)
Follow this guidance for shopping malls, destination shopping centers, and swap meets to support a safe, clean environment for workers, customers, and the public.
Review the guidance, prepare a plan, and post the checklist for shopping centers in your workplace to show customers and employees that you’ve reduced the risk and are open for business.
- All organized youth sports, including school- and community-sponsored programs, and privately-owned clubs and leagues
- Adult recreational sports
This guidance does not apply to collegiate or professional sports.
The California Department of Public Health has collected questions and answers about youth sports. Children and youth participating in sports must follow the guidance related to cohorts.