CA Reopening Progress

• Bars where NO meal is provided ( State Guidance for Bars)

• Wineries, Breweries, and Distilleries where NO meal is provided: 25% capacity or 100 people, whichever is fewer ( State Guidance for Wineries, Tasting Rooms, Breweries, and Distilleries)
• Family Entertainment Center activities such as bowling alleys, escape rooms, and other naturally distanced activities: 25% capacity ( State Guidance for Family Entertainment Centers)
• Offices ( State Guidance for Office Workspaces)
• Cardrooms, Satellite wagering: 25% capacity ( State Guidance for Cardrooms)

• Retail: 100% capacity indoor ( State Guidance for Retailers)
• Shopping malls: 100% capacity indoor ( State Guidance for Shopping Malls)
  • Closed common areas
  • Reduced capacity food courts
• Museums, Zoos, and Aquariums: 50% capacity indoor ( State Guidance for Museums, Zoos, and Aquariums)
• Places of Worship: 50% capacity indoor ( State Guidance for Places of Worship)
• Movie Theaters: 50% capacity or 200 people indoor, whichever is fewer ( State Guidance for Movie Theaters)
• Gyms and Fitness Centers: 25% capacity indoor ( State Guidance for Gyms and Fitness Centers)
• Restaurants: 50% capacity or 200 people, whichever is fewer ( State Guidance for Restaurants)
• Outdoor Live Events: 33% outdoor capacity (67% is all guests are tested or show proof of full vaccination) ( State Guidance for Outdoor Live Events)
• Amusement Parks: Outdoor and indoor 25% capacity ( State Guidance for Amusement Parks)

To determine capacity as outlined in the Activity and Business Tiers Matrix based on the Blueprint for a Safer Economy, use the posted fire maximum capacity limit and ensure there is enough spacing for individuals from different households to maintain social distancing. If there is no posted fire maximum capacity limit, contact your local fire protection district. 

It is important to note there is a difference between ceremonies and gatherings defined by the State. Wedding and funeral ceremonies must comply with Places of Worship Guidance while gatherings (i.e., wedding receptions, funeral receptions) must comply with the State’s small private gathering guidance and restrictions. It is also important to note there are special restrictions for singing, chanting, and similar activities in both the Places of Worship Guidance and the small private gathering guidance and restrictions.

As of March 14th, the capacity limits for CEREMONIES such as weddings and funerals are: 

• Purple Tier:
  • Indoor with modifications (outdoor strongly recommended)

  • Indoor activities must be limited to 25% of capacity 

• Red Tier:
  • Indoor with modifications

  • Indoor activities must be limited to 25% of capacity

• Orange Tier:
  • Indoor with modifications

  • Indoor activities must be limited to 50% of capacity

• Yellow Tier:
  • Indoor with modifications

  • Indoor activities must be limited to 50% of capacity

As of March 14th, the capacity limits for GATHERINGS such as wedding receptions and funeral receptions are:

• Purple Tier:
  • Outdoor gatherings are permitted for up to three households, including host and guests. 
    
    
• Red, Orange, and Yellow Tiers:
  • Outdoor and indoor gatherings are permitted for up to three households, including host and guests. Indoor receptions are strongly discouraged.

As of March 14th, there is a 150-mile restriction to travel to an event. For updated travel advisory information, see California Department of Public Health’s Travel Advisory.

The Sonoma County Board of Supervisors adopted the Sonoma County Economic Recovery Action Plan to support economic and community resiliency and recovery from COVID-19 and natural disasters. Compiled by the Economic Development Board (EDB) and County Administrator’s Office (CAO) using a Whole Community approach and feedback from over 500 community members, the Economic Recovery Action Plan includes 13 key strategies. These short to long term economic strategies focus on;

• Business Recovery
• Workforce Recovery 
• Community Recovery 

Economic Recovery Action Plan (PDF: 12,657 KB)

Interested in getting involved? Email EconRecovery@sonoma-county.org.

Fire code officials must inspect heating devices under tents, canopies or membrane structures. The use of propane heaters requires a permit from the fire code official. For more detailed guidance, see Sonoma County’s Guidelines for Temporary Tents, Canopies and Membrane Structures for Outdoor Business Operations.

Yes. Outdoor capacity does not count toward indoor capacity limitations.

Bar seating is not allowed where customers and/or groups “cannot maintain at least six feet of distance from work areas/stations." See California Department of Public Health’s COVID-19 Industry Guidance: Restaurants.

Where indoor operations are permitted in the red tier, indoor performances are governed by California Department of Public Health’s COVID-19 Industry Guidance: Restaurants. As of March 14th, performers must wear face coverings at all times and maintain physical distancing from spectators. Performers are counted toward the occupancy capacity limits. Further live performance guidance is expected in the near future.

Where only outdoor operations are permitted for wineries, breweries, and distilleries not providing a meal, only outdoor live entertainment operations are permitted with modifications. See page 3 of COVID-19 Industry Guidance: Wineries and Tasting Rooms for guidance and modifications

The best business practices for a safer, healthier community are outlined at California Department of Public Health’s Industry guidance to reduce risk. They include guidance for how to protect your workers, ventilation, and specific industry guidance. Sonoma County Health officials are also encouraging all Sonoma County residents to get vaccinated when it’s their turn, and follow proven safety protocol until then, including regular COVID testing, masking, social distancing, and refraining from gathering in groups of more than 3 households.

Sonoma County health officials are recommending that people who regularly interact with the public get tested twice per month. 

Updated guidance on ventilation can be found at California Department of Public Health’s Interim guidance for Ventilation, Filtration, and Air Quality in Indoor Environments. Though current safety measures should remain in place, such as masking and distancing, MERV 13 or greater mechanical filtration is efficient at capturing airborne viruses and should be the target minimum level of filtration for indoor spaces.