A real springtime

Hopes for a reopening of city life grew in April as the vaccination campaign picked up speed. Mayor London Breed reported on April 23 that more than two-thirds of San Francisco residents had already received the vaccine, and by the middle of the month everyone from age 16 and older was eligible. 

With low Covid infection levels and the expanding vaccination program, the city moved into the orange tier and began to offer guidance on how more organizations could reopen for in-person business. Organizations such as cinemas and performance venues are now able to open, with limited capacity and proof of vaccination. Some details of the policies are still TBA at press time, but expect to be required to make advance reservations for any such venue.  Other businesses that had been allowed to open earlier have had some of their restrictions relaxed, such as indoor and outdoor dining. The San Francisco Recreation and Park Department has begun the phased reopening of city pools, including the North Beach Pool, which has a May 17 reopen date.

The San Francisco Public Library’s Main Library location downtown is scheduled to reopen with limited service on the first floor on May 3, with additional floors to reopen as staffing and the general city reopening continues. The Chinatown/Him Mark Lai Branch Library is scheduled to reopen the week of May 17.

For the latest information on what businesses are able to open and what restrictions they must have, visit sf.gov/check-if-business-essential and sf.gov/topics/reopening.

For those looking to get out of town, the Monterey County tourist officials touted the earlier-than-planned reopening of Highway 1, the iconic and scenic roadway, in late April. Following the early completion of highway repairs, you will once again be able to cruise down the coast for everything from the Monterey Bay Aquarium (book tickets in advance) to plenty of inns, restaurants, and vineyards.

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