(updated 1/26/20)
Alameda County is currently in the Purple Tier of the State's Blueprint for a Safer Economy. Please click here, and search Alameda County for a complete list of businesses which are allowed to open in Alameda County at this time.
Current Alameda County Health Orders
Please click here for the latest public health order.
On Monday, January 25, 2021, the State announced that the Regional Stay at Home Order has been lifted.
Alameda County is currently in the Purple Tier of the State's Blueprint for a Safer Economy, and all Purple Tier activities are permitted. There are no additional local restrictions at this time.
The following businesses and activities can resume:
- Outdoors only, with modifications
- Restaurants, wineries and tasting rooms
- Gyms
- Family entertainment centers and movie theatres
- Museums, zoos and aquariums
- Cardrooms and Racetracks
- Campgrounds
- Places of worship and cultural ceremonies
- Indoors, with modifications
- Hair salons and barbershops
- Hotels and lodging
- Personal care services, including massage, nail salons, and skin care services
- Grocery stores may increase capacity to 50%
- Other retail stores may increase capacity to 25%
Please click here, and search Alameda County for a complete list of businesses which are allowed to open in Alameda County at this time.
For more information, visit ACPH's Shelter In Place website.
Questions about whether your business is permitted to open? Please email COVIDRecovery@acgov.org.
State of California Blueprint for Safer Economy
On August 28, 2020, the State released its Blueprint for a Safer Economy, which replaces the monitoring list that was being used to identify when businesses are allowed to reopen. The plan places counties into four different risk level categories, and includes guidelines for what types of activities are able to reopen at each risk level. However, it is important to remember that when two orders conflict, the stricter order applies.
All photographs in this guide are by Maurice Ramirez
Alameda County is now in the Purple Tier of the State’s Blueprint for a Safer Economy. In order to move to the Red Tier, which would allow for additional reopening, we must have case rates below 7 new cases per 100,000 residents per day and a test positivity between 5% and 8%. Please click here for the latest data on case rates and test positivity in Alameda County.

The Alameda County Public Health Department (ACPHD) provides specific reopening requirements for businesses within their public health orders. Please click here for the current public health order to learn the complete requirements for your business.
All businesses must implement a Site Specific Protection Plan while operating - please click here to find guidance and a template for creating your own Site Specific Protection Plan.
Please click here to view Alameda County's Business Recovery website, which includes more detailed information for Retail, Outdoor Dining, and other sectors.
COVID-19 Infection Reporting: Businesses are required to notify the Alameda County Public Health Department of all positive COVID-19 cases.
In accordance with California State COVID-19 reporting requirements, please use the COVID Workplace Case and Contact Reporting Form to report a confirmed or suspected COVID-19 case in the workplace, and any associated close contacts. For questions related to positive employees in the workplace, please contact the COVID Workplace Response Team at COVIDworkplace@acgov.org.
Download the State of California's Employer Playbook to learn more about to reopen safely.
Not Yet Permitted to Operate? You Can Still Prepare for Future Reopening
If your business is not yet permitted to open, you can still begin preparations by reviewing guidelines from the State of California and industry associations.
State Guidelines for Specific Industries
As part of their Blueprint for a Safer Economy, the State of California has created industry guidance to help Californians prepare for the reopening of our economy. Even if not yet permitted to operate in Alameda County, many businesses may find these industry guidelines helpful as they plan for re-opening.
Note: The State of California is at a more advanced phase of reopening than Alameda County. Not all of the businesses listed in the Blueprint for a Safer Economy are currently permitted to operate in Alameda County. Where there are differences between the local Health Officer’s order and the State’s order, the stricter restrictions apply
Guidance from Industry Associations
Please click here for a list of reopening guidance from a variety of industry associations.
The Downtown Alameda Business Association and the Alameda Chamber of Commerce have posted helpful guides to assist businesses in making their reopening as successful as possible.
Resources for Reopening Businesses
- #ShopSafeShopLocal: The State of California's #ShopSafeShopLocal website provides a range of resources for businesses as they reopen, including digital marketing materials, and assistance in accessed personal protective equipment.
- Business Counselling: Alameda businesses can apply for personalized business counselling through East Bay Score (510-273-6611 or info@eastbayscore.org) or the Alameda County SBDC. Experienced business counselors can help you address a number of issues in the wake of COVID-19, from rethinking your marketing strategy to revising your business plan.
The City of Alameda has launched What's Open Alameda? to help local business share updated hours, specials, COVID-19 safety measures, and any other information you would like to give your customers. This user-friendly directory is available to all Alameda businesses that are open during the COVID-19 pandemic - please click here to view.
Here's how to make the most of What's Open Alameda:
- Visit & Verify: Please visit the site to make sure your business is listed and that the information is up to date.
- Add & Edit: If your business is not listed, or if the listing needs to be updated, you can do so right in the directory.
- To add a listing, click on the "+List my Business" button in the upper right hand corner of the directory.
- To edit an existing listing, navigate to the current listing, and click the "Edit" button in the upper right hand corner of the listing.
- Add your email address: Make sure to add your email address to your listing. This will make sure you get all future notifications about the directory.
- Update regularly!: As new public health guidance is issued, update your business information regularly to reflect any changes to hours or operations.
Please email econdev@alamedaca.gov if you have any questions about the directory.
Spend Local Alameda
The City of Alameda, in partnership with the Downtown, West and Greater Alameda Business Associations, and the Alameda Chamber of Commerce, is launching a Spend Local campaign for the 2020 holiday season. Please click here for more information, and to participate!

Currently Permitted
Restaurants are currently allowed to serve and prepare food for take-out and delivery only. Please click here for the current public health order to learn the complete requirements for your business.
All outdoor dining must comply with the COVID-19 Industry Guidance issued by the State of California.
In addition, all restaurants must comply with the Alameda County Department of Environmental Health (ACDEH) Restaurant Operating Procedures. Note: Major changes to food service operations, such as addition of dining areas, may require advance approval from ACDEH. Contact your inspector to discuss proposed changes.
All businesses must implement a Site Specific Protection Plan while operating - please click here to find guidance and a template for creating your own Site Specific Protection Plan.
Changes to Public Space, Rules and Regulations to Support Restaurants
Curious about sidewalk dining, street closures, and other opportunities increase your dining capacity? Please click here to view changes that are being made to public space and government regulations to support restaurants and other businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Additional Reopening Guidance for Restaurants
Currently Permitted
Indoor and outdoor retail is currently permitted. Please click here for the current public health order to learn the complete requirements for your business.
All businesses must implement a Site Specific Protection Plan while operating - please click here to find guidance and a template for creating your own Site Specific Protection Plan.
Changes to Public Space, Rules and Regulations to Support Retail Businesses
Curious about sidewalk retail, expanded hours, signage, and other opportunities increase your customer capacity? Please click here to view changes that are being made to public space and government regulations to support restaurants and other businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Please visit our Business Resources page for information about a variety of state, local and federal programs that may help businesses with the impacts of COVID-19.