Status of Covid 19 Restrictions in San Francisco

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By Karen

Updated September 25, 2025

Most recent Public Health requirements for San Francisco

(related to Covid)

The latest mandatory public health directive for the city was issued on October 16, 2024 (see text of statement). It's basically a masking requirement for people working or providing services in skilled-nursing facilities in San Francisco.

Pertinent section reads as follows:

Accordingly, during the period from November 1, 2024, to March 31, 2025, this Order requires Personnel working in Skilled Nursing Facilities to wear a Well-Fitted Mask at all times when in the same room as Patients or Residents as described in this Order.

The requirement to wear a Well-Fitted Mask also applies to people who only visit such locations on an intermittent or occasional basis or for short periods of time, such as delivery people, contractors, regulators, firefighters, emergency medical technicians (EMTs), paramedics, police, and other law enforcement—all such people must wear a Well-Fitted Mask when in the same room as Patients or Residents.

All other masking and vaccination requirements have expired.

History of Covid in San Francisco

At midnight on Monday, March 16, 2020, San Francisco was placed under a "shelter-in-place" order.

All residents were ordered to stay home, except for necessary trips to grocery stores and essential medical visits, and solo outdoor activities like hiking.

The city was gradually reopening many businesses and activities, but in December, 2020, came under another strict, stay-at-home directive, due to a sudden increase in infection and hospitalization rates.

Since then, Covid numbers dropped significantly, but rose again when Omicron hit, then dropped again. They are fairly low now.

Big changes arrived June 15, 2021:    California was "fully reopened", meaning all business sectors  reopened to full or almost full capacity, including concerts, stadium sports and festivals. SF since then has been basically open, though somewhat more cautious in some regards than other locations.

Vaccination Requirements

SF no longer requires that restaurants, bars, theaters and gyms check for proof of vaccination. 

Masking Rules

Mask rules: as of September 15, 2022, no one is now required to wear a mask indoors in SF, whether vaccinated or not. The exception: skilled-nursing facilities.

Public Transportation

 Masks are no longer required on public transit;  vaccination is also not required.

Travel to San Francisco

Masks are no longer required inside the SF airport.

What's Open in the City?

Pretty much everything, now.

Alcatraz Island

Alcatraz is open. The Day Tours, Night Tours and Behind the Scene Tours are all running now. The Cell Block is open also.

No proof of vaccination is required for the Alcatraz tours.

Masking is not required, but is recommended, for the boat ride over, the dock area and indoor areas. See Alcatraz for info on tours available.

Resources for Current Information

See COVID rules for current SF status.

And to check the air quality (fires) in SF and the Bay Area, see airnow.gov.



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