SF delays opening some businesses for storefront pick-up until at least May 18

SF delays opening some businesses for storefront pick-up until at least May 18Photo: Teresa Hammerl/Hoodline
Teresa Hammerl
Published on May 07, 2020

Following Governor Gavin Newsom's announcement of new statewide guidance to allow some retailers, including bookstores, toy stores and clothing stores, to re-open for pick-up as soon as tomorrow, San Francisco has now announced stricter rules.

In a press release, Mayor London Breed said Thursday that as long as San Francisco continues making progress on reducing the spread of COVID-19, the city currently anticipates allowing some businesses to resume operations with storefront pick-up on Monday, May 18.

Retailers such as bookstores, florists, music and record stores, hobby and toy stores, game stores, home furnishings and home goods stores, cosmetics and beauty supply stores, art supplies stores, musical instrument and supplies stores as well as sewing, needlework and piece goods stores will be the first non-essential businesses allowed to re-open for storefront pick-up.

"Giving businesses the option to reopen and provide storefront pick-up will provide some relief for everyone in our city – allowing some people to get back to work, while still protecting public health," Mayor Breed said in the statement. "The last thing we want is to see a spike in the number of cases or hospitalizations, so we’re going to be keeping close track of our key COVID-19 indicators and will be ready to make any adjustment needed to keep our community healthy."

A joint press release from Bay Area county health officers published on Thursday clarified that the Bay Area orders do not currently permit storefront pick-up from non-essential, non-outdoor businesses.

In a press conference on Wednesday, Mayor Breed also added that while the Governor puts out guidelines for the state, the counties can make their own decisions, and whichever guideline is more restrictive is in effect.

"Without a vaccine, we will be living with COVID-19 concerns for months to come," she said.

At the beginning of the month, District 5 Supervisor Dean Preston sent an open letter to Mayor Breed urging her "to allow local businesses to open for curbside delivery pursuant to guidelines to ensure public health and safety." 

"We share the urgency to reopen and restore our economies and our normal activities, and the equal importance of doing so in a way that is safe, responsible and does not erode the progress we have made together," Dr. Grant Colfax, director of the SF Department of Public Health, said in the Mayor's press release on Thursday.

"These new guidelines will keep our merchant corridors active, while also establishing important public health protocols to keep our residents safe," Rodney Fong, president and CEO of the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce, said in the statement.

As of Thursday, San Francisco had a cumulative total of 1,806 residents who tested positive for COVID-19, and 32 people who died from the disease.