As dine-in restaurants and in-store retail begin to reopen across the City of San Diego, Mayor Kevin L. Faulconer was joined by San Diego Police Department Chief David Nisleit and San Diego Fire-Rescue Lifeguard Chief James Gartland to remind San Diegans of the importance of complying with physical distancing, face covering, and other public health rules to continue to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
 
“Let’s support local workers and restaurants not only by giving them our business but by following public health rules that keep all of us safe,” Faulconer said. “We’ve all worked so hard, so let’s enjoy our progress but not give up the gains we’ve made. Whether you’re on the sand or at a shop this weekend, stay classy out there San Diego.”
 
Following a letter sent by Faulconer and Board of Supervisors Chairman Greg Cox on May 11, on Monday the governor modified county variance criteria and on Wednesday approved San Diego County’s request to proceed with modified onsite dining. While dine-in restaurants and in-store retail have been given the ability to reopen in San Diego, they must follow specific guidelines. All businesses planning to re-open must complete a safe reopening plan and post it at their entrance in addition to discussing the plan with their employees.  
“We need the public’s help and compliance,” said Nisleit. “We need to continue practicing physical distancing and wearing face coverings because this gives us the best chance to continue moving forward towards reopening in a safe and responsible way.”  
The guidelines for dine-in restaurants include: • Temperature/symptom screening for employees daily. • Employees with symptoms are not allowed to work. • All tables need to be six feet apart or have barriers separating them. • Signs need to be posted reminding customers to social distance. • Employees must wear facial coverings. • Customers must wear facial coverings except when seated. • No self-service such as buffets, salad bars, soda machines, etc. • Encourage reservations. • Expand outdoor seating.  
The guidelines for in-store retail includes: • Post signs saying no employees or customers with COVID-19 symptoms should enter. • Temperature/symptom screening for employees daily. • Employees and customers must wear facial coverings. • Limit number of customers to maintain six feet of distance.  
San Diego lifeguards will educate beachgoers about the following rules: • Beaches and shorelines: Only walking and running (jogging) allowed. No stopping, sitting or lying down. • Oceans: Swimming, surfing, kayaking and single-person paddling allowed. • Bays: Single-household recreational boating. Fishing is allowed, but not from the shoreline. No swimming on the bay and Mission Bay Park is closed. • Closed: Boardwalks, piers, parking lots and Fiesta Island. • Not allowed anywhere: Gatherings and non-physical distancing activities.  
“We want all San Diegans and visitors to enjoy our beaches,” said Gartland. “However, the public health rules that are in place must be followed this weekend. We expect a lot of visitors and will work closely with our partners at San Diego Police Department to make sure everyone stays safe.”
More information on the State of California “Stay At Home” order, including what’s closed, what’s open and which industries are exempted by the state can be found on the California Covid-19 response website.
 
For information regarding COVID-19 cases and directives from the County of San Diego public health officials, please visit www.coronavirus-sd.com.
 
For the latest City operational updates and steps the public can take to help reduce the spread of the disease, please visit sandiego.gov/coronavirus.