Updated Guidelines

June 24, 2022: Alameda County announced lifting of local mask order.

June 2, 2022: Alameda County announced masks are required in most public indoor settings.

February 28, 2022: Alameda County announced they are aligned with the State in lifting the indoor mask mandate for people who are unvaccinated in most places.

February 9, 2022: Eleven Bay Area health officers to lift most indoor mask mandates (for everyone who is vaccinated) on February 16; Masks still strongly recommended; vaccines and boosters urged to further strengthen defenses. 

January 5, 2022: The California Department of Public Health mandated that everyone in California wear a mask in indoor public spaces and workplaces until February 15, 2022.

December 29, 2021: Alameda County rescinded previous face mask amendments. Everyone, regardless of their vaccination status, must mask in all indoor public settings.

October 28, 2021: Alameda County issued a health order that eases some masking requirements for fully vaccinated people in limited indoor settings beginning November 1.

October 7: 2021: Bay Area Health Officers issue criteria for lifting indoor masking requirements.

October 5, 2021: Alameda County issues recommendations on how to celebrate Halloween and Día de los Muertos safely. 

August 2, 2021: Bay Area health orders require masks indoors in public places for all individuals, regardless of vaccination status, with limited exceptions, starting at 12:01 am on August 3, 2021. 

July 16, 2021: Counties of Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Sonoma, and the City of Berkeley Recommend Masking Indoors for Everyone as a Precaution Against Increased Circulation of COVID-19.

June 15, 2021: Alameda County cities are aligned with the State’s guidelines for reopening. Individuals are directed to comply with restrictions and directions imposed by the State of California.

May 19, 2021: The Association of Bay Area Health Officials, representing 12 Bay Area Health Officers and their Local Health Jurisdictions, strongly supports the California Department of Public Health’s strategy to continue with current masking guidance until June 15, when the State will align with the CDC’s updated masking guidance. 

May 3, 2021: The California Department of Public Health issued updated guidance on face coverings, mandating face masks in indoor settings outside of one's home with few exceptions. Outdoors, fully vaccinated persons are not required to wear face coverings except for attending crowded outdoor events. Unvaccinated persons are required to wear a face covering outdoors any time physical distancing cannot be maintained. The CDC released updated information on how to protect yourself and others when you've been fully vaccinated. If you have not been vaccinated yet, find a vaccine.

March 30, 2021: Effective March 31, 2021, Alameda is an Orange Tier County with permitted activities and restrictions aligned with the State's Blueprint for a Safer Economy.   

March 9, 2021: Today, Alameda County Health Care Services Agency announced that Alameda County is a Red Tier County with permitted activities and restrictions aligned with the State's Blueprint for a Safer Economy.   

January 25: On Monday, January 25, the Regional Stay Home Order ended as ICU projections improve. Alameda County issued a new Health Officer Order to bring the County into alignment with the restrictions, terms, and conditions imposed under the State's Blueprint for a Safer Economy. Alameda County is not in the Purple Tier and activities and businesses permitted in the Purple Tier may resume operation immediately, including outdoor dining and indoor salons.   

December 16: On Wednesday, December 16, the Bay Area region’s ICU bed availability dropped below 15%, which means that the Statewide Stay at Home Order has been extended to the entire region. Private gatherings of any size are prohibited, non-essential operations except for critical infrastructure and retail must close (view a list of what's open and closed here), and masks are required at all times. The health order will remain in effect until the projected ICU capacity meets or exceeds 15%.

December 4: Health Officers in the Counties of Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, San Francisco, and Santa Clara, as well as the City of Berkeley, announced that the Bay Area will implement the Regional Stay Home Order earlier, stating that more aggressive action is necessary to slow the surge and prevent our local hospitals from being overwhelmed. The new restrictions will go into effect in Alameda County on Monday, December 7, at 12:01 am and remain in place until January 4, 2021.  

December 3: The State is using the regional availability of intensive care unit (ICU) beds to implement a Regional Stay-At-Home Order. This Order will go into effect for a minimum of 3 weeks when a region’s ICU availability falls below 15%. Alameda County is in the Bay Area region, which currently has 25.3% ICU availability, with 30,980 COVID-19 cases (685 cases are in the City of Alameda). The State’s current projections show that the Bay Area region will reach the 15% threshold by mid- to late December. 

The Regional-Stay-At-Home Order is similar to the March Shelter In Place Order and will impact many sectors. This is the most challenging moment we have faced since the beginning of the pandemic, but these new restrictions are temporary and necessary to save lives. We are being asked to do more than we have ever done through the next few weeks and months. And in the coming months when we recover and a vaccine is readily available, we will have saved the lives of our neighbors and loved ones. 

Click here for more information about the State’s Order.

Click here to read the Alameda County Public Health Department’s Statement.

November 19: The State announced a limited shelter in place order that takes place November 21 at 10pm. This order is in place from 10pm-5am until 5am on December 21. Stay home and slow the spread of COVID-19.

November 16: The State announced Alameda County is in the Purple Tier for reopening. Sectors that are not outdoor only include restaurants, museums, gyms and fitness centers, places of worship, and movie theaters. Click here for a list of what's allowed to open in Alameda County and click here for a list of what's allowed to open at each of the four State tiers. 

October 13: The State announced Alameda County is in the Orange Tier of the color-coded 4-tier Blueprint for a Safer Economy. Alameda County is continuing to proceed slowly to avoid another surge in cases. As of today, there are no Orange Tier activities permitted in Alameda County. 

October 2: Revised and effective October 9 -- a list of approved types of businesses is here.

August 21: Effective Friday, August 28, 2020, the new health order from Alameda County now allows limited outdoor personal services to reopen along with outdoor pools. Download the health order here and a press release here.

June 18: Effective 8:00 am Friday, June 19, 2020, the new health order from Alameda County now allows outdoor museums, outdoor restaurant dining, limited religions and cultural services, indoor and outdoor retail (including malls), and outdoor fitness classes to reopen. Download the health order here, a summary of the order here, the Alameda County reopening plan here, and read the County press release here. Remember, it's more important than ever to wear a face covering whenever you leave home and maintain at least 6 feet of distance from people outside your household.  

June 5: Updated health order requiring face coverings

May 18: The Alameda County Health Officer issued two new health orders that are now in effect and will remain in effect until rescinded, superseded, or amended. The first new health order continues directing residents to shelter in place except for essential needs and activities, and now permits a limited number of additional businesses to operate, subject to certain requirements, including retail stores for curbside or storefront pickup and/or delivery only, manufacturing, and logistics and warehousing. A second new health order now allows certain highly regulated vehicle-based gatherings. For more information, download the shelter in place health order here, download the vehicle-based gathering health order here, download a summary of the orders here, read the County press release here, and read a joint statement by Bay Area health officers here.

May 12: Statewide industry guidance to reduce risk 

May 11: Guidance for Graduation & Diploma Pick-up(PDF, 148KB)

May 11: Guidance for Camps and Educational/Recreational Programs(PDF, 297KB)

April 29: Alameda County Health Officer issued a new order that goes into effect at 11:59 pm on May 3, 2020 and continues to be in effect until May 31, 2020. The new health order continues asking residents to shelter in place except for essential needs. It allows a limited number of additional essential businesses and certain lower risk outdoor businesses to resume operating. For more information, download the health order here, download a summary of the order here, read FAQs here, and read the County press release here.

April 17: County Health Officer issued a new health order generally requiring face coverings in public. For more information, download the  new health order here, the County's press release here, and a County FAQ here, and essential business signage here. Here is a quick guide from the CDC on how to make your own masks and a video tutorial from the Surgeon General.

March 19: State of California issues Stay at Home Executive Order

March 16: Alameda County issues Shelter In Place Health Order