Appendix C-1: Guidelines for Businesses Permitted to Operate
[REVISED – November 16, 2020; EFFECTIVE – November 17, 2020]
Please note that this Appendix C-1 is rescinded and superseded by Appendix C-1 issued December 7, 2020 and effective December 8, 2020.
Please note that this Appendix C-1 supersedes and rescinds the Appendix C-1 issued October 27, 2020. On August 28, 2020, the State of California issued the Blueprint for a Safer Economy, a new tiered system for counties which assigns counties to risk tiers (purple, red, orange, or yellow) based on COVID transmission rates and related metrics. The County’s Blueprint tier is subject to change by the State, including re-classification to a more or less-restrictive tier. Businesses in the County are permitted to operate to the extent allowed by the County’s designated Blueprint tier on a given date. Marin County's Blueprint tier status can be found at https://covid19.ca.gov/safer-economy/. All permitted operations must be conducted in strict compliance with the general and industry-specific guidance below.
General Requirements
All permitted business operations should be conducted with the goal of reducing the likelihood of COVID-19 transmission at the business site, with attention to the following factors:
- Increase in mobility and volume of activity — the overall impact the reopening will have on the number of people on the business premises, including staff and patrons;
- Contact intensity — the type (close or distant) and duration (brief or prolonged) of the contact involved in the business;
- Number of contacts — the approximate number of people that will be in the setting at the same time;
- Modification potential — the degree to which mitigation measures can decrease the risk of transmission.
To mitigate the risk of transmission to the greatest extent possible, before resuming operations, Businesses permitted to operate must:
- Prepare, post, implement, and distribute to their Personnel a Site-Specific Protective Plan as specified in Appendix A of the Risk Reduction Order for each of their facilities in the County frequented by personnel or members of the public; and
- Prepare, post, implement, and distribute to their Personnel a written health and safety plan that addresses all applicable best practices set forth in relevant Health Officer directives.
As used in this Appendix C-1, “Personnel” means the following people who provide goods or services associated with the Business in the County: employees; contractors and sub-contractors (such as those who sell goods or perform services onsite or who deliver goods for the business); independent contractors (such as “gig workers” who perform work via the Business’s app or other online interface); vendors who are permitted to sell goods onsite; volunteers; and other individuals who regularly provide services onsite at the request of the Business.
Also, each Business permitted to operate must comply with Social Distancing Requirements as well as all relevant state guidance and local directives. Where a conflict exists between the state guidance and local public heath directives related to the COVID-19 pandemic, the most restrictive provision controls.
Guidance for Businesses Permitted to Operate
Businesses shall refer to the County’s tier designation on the State’s Blueprint for a Safer Economy https://covid19.ca.gov/safer-economy/ to determine whether they are permitted to operate. If permitted to operate, the Business shall operate in strict compliance with the State’s guidance located at https://covid19.ca.gov/industry-guidance/. In addition, the below listed Businesses must also follow any applicable Marin specific guidance listed below.
(1)
Outdoor Recreation Activity Businesses
In addition to complying with State guidance located at https://files.covid19.ca.gov/pdf/guidance-campgrounds-outdoor-recreation--en.pdf. Outdoor Recreation Activity Businesses in Marin County shall also ensure that they keep track of individuals who participate in their programs.
(2)
Indoor Dining (UPDATED November 16, 2020)
Indoor dining is not permitted at this time. Indoor dining is a high-risk activity because face coverings must be removed to eat and drink, resulting in increased potential for virus transmission through aerosols. In addition, dining with small groups of people increases the potential for mixing of households and involves moderate number of contacts. Based on these increased risk factors, indoor dining is not permitted in Marin County at this time.
(3)
Movie Theaters (UPDATED November 16, 2020)
Movie theaters may not allow concessions to be consumed indoors. Viewing movies or other projected entertainment indoors in an enclosed space involves multiple risk factors, including the nearby seating of groups of people from different households, the enclosed nature of the space, and the duration of the entertainment. Based on these increased risk factors, movie theaters may not permit patrons to consume concessions in indoor spaces and must require face coverings to be worn by all patrons while indoors.
Updated November 16, 2020 by:
______________________________
Matt Willis, MD, MPH
Health Officer of the County of Marin