Local and Statewide COVID-19 restrictions in Berkeley
California's economy has reopened with some restrictions
Statewide COVID-19 restrictions ended June 15, 2021. Capacity and distancing restrictions have been lifted for most businesses and activities. Large-scale indoor events will have vaccination or negative test requirements for attendees. Some local and Statewide restrictions are in effect.
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Local restrictions
Local health jurisdictions, like Berkeley Public Health, may impose stricter rules than the State if they choose.
Currently, Berkeley's Face Masking Health Order requires everyone to wear a face covering indoors, regardless of vaccination status.
Starting September 10, 2021, Berkeley's Proof of Vaccination Order requires that certain businesses require and obtain proof of full vaccination from all workers and further requires that certain businesses check proof of full vaccination of patrons 12 years and older prior to allowing a patron’s entry to an indoor portion of the business’s facility. See more information, details and exceptions in our community message and in the full order.
Indoor activities requiring vaccination beginning Sept 10
Summary of indoor activities that require full vaccination* for patrons and workers**
- Restaurants and other dining establishments
- Any business or event serving food or drinks indoors
- Bars and clubs
- Theaters and entertainment venues
- Gyms, recreation facilities, yoga studios, dance studios and other fitness establishments
- Large indoor events of 1,000 people or more - events where tickets were sold before September 3, 2021 are not required to obtain proof of vaccination from patrons until October 15, 2021. Starting Oct. 15, these venues must solely require proof of vaccination.
While these requirements focus on certain businesses due to the risk of spread, these and other tools can voluntarily be taken on by any business or organization. The safer a workplace becomes, the more likely they are to avoid an outbreak and stay open.
*A masked patron entering an establishment for a brief period of time solely to pick up or deliver food or goods or to perform other transactions which do not require the patron to remain for an extended period of time.
**Worker vaccination required by Oct. 15
Additional sites to require worker vaccination
Starting October 15, in addition to industries that the State has issued vaccination requirements for, vaccination or weekly testing will be required at all Berkeley venues above as well as:
- Adult care facilities
- Adult day programs
- Dental offices
- Pharmacies
- Home health care workers and those employing health care workers
- All public and private childcare facilities
Alameda County Public Health
Alameda County Public Health Orders do not apply within the City of Berkeley. As an independent local health jurisdiction, Berkeley sets its own rules.
We work closely with Alameda County Public Health to align on COVID-19 Health Orders. Generally, any local restrictions in Berkeley during the pandemic have been the same as or very similar to those in effect across Alameda County.
Statewide restrictions lifted on June 15
As of June 15, 2021, California has sunset the color-coded tier system and moved "Beyond the Blueprint for a Safer Economy".
All business sectors may now return to normal operations, with no capacity limits. Employers must continue to follow Cal/OSHA COVID-19 Emergency Temporary Standards.
A limited number of restrictions will continue to apply to "mega events" - those with more than 1,000 attendees indoors or 10,000 outdoors. At indoor mega events, all attendees will be required to verify vaccination status or show a negative test result before entering. After September 20, 2021, attendees cannot self-attest to verify vaccination status or a negative test result. The same standard is strongly recommended for outdoor mega events. See State guidance for details.
Resources from the California Department of Public Health
Last updated September 3, 2021