About COVID-19 restrictions

The Regional Stay Home Order was put into place to address a crisis in ICU capacity that was caused by unprecedented exponential community transmission combined with scarce hospital resources in equipment, space, and staffing. Regions entered the Regional Stay Home Order when the regional ICU capacity fell below 15%. Four out of five of California’s regions were at some time subject to the Regional Stay Home Order. The State’s overall ICU capacity fell to 0% in December, pointing to the statewide nature of the crisis. The Regional Stay Home Order was necessary to avoid a collapse of hospital capacity and the need to transition to crisis standards of care, which could result in rationing of access to ventilators and other lifesaving treatment and  scores of unnecessary deaths.

Regions exited the Regional Stay Home Order when their projected four-week ICU capacity rose above 15%. ICU capacity is projected four weeks out because ICU capacity is a lagging indicator; even if ICU capacity is below 15% today, those hospitalizations are results of infections that were weeks ago, not because of current transmission rates. Projected ICU capacity is based on four factors: current estimated regional ICU capacity available, measure of current community transmission, current regional case rates, and the proportion of cases being admitted to the ICU.

No. All four Regions that were subject to the Regional Stay Home Order have exited because their projected four-week ICU capacity is above 15%. The Sacramento Region exited on January 12 with a projected four-week ICU capacity of 19.1%. The Bay Area Region exited on January 25 with a projected four-week ICU capacity of 25.0%. The Southern California Region exited on January 25 with a projected four-week ICU capacity of 33.3%.The San Joaquin Valley Region exited on January 25 with a projected four-week ICU capacity of 22.3%. The Northern California Region never fell below 15% in ICU capacity and was at 47.9% on January 25.

These metrics, along with declining cases, hospitalizations, test positivity and transmission rates across the State, demonstrate that the Regional Stay Home Order had its intended effect of interrupting the exponential rate of community transmission that threatened to overwhelm our healthcare delivery system. While COVID-19 remains prevalent and dangerous, with cases still well above our summer surge, the crisis experienced at the end of 2020 has subsided and the additional restrictions imposed beyond those applicable under the Blueprint for a Safer Economy can be rescinded.

This order ended for all regions statewide on January 25, 2021 because 4-week ICU capacity projections in the three remaining regions under the order had reached 15% or higher. The Limited Stay at Home Order (curfew) also ended. Counties returned to restrictions according to their tier in the Blueprint for a Safer Economy.

We ended the Regional Stay Home Order and hope we do not need to resort to such strict measures to keep our health care system protected and to save lives. We will examine conditions moving forward and determine interventions as they are warranted. The State will continue to take public health measures necessary to protect vulnerable Californians and the health care delivery system. With everyone’s continued collaboration, we hope to continue on the path to reopening.

This did not change the framework around school reopening. See COVID-19 and Reopening In-Person Instruction Framework & Public Health Guidance for K-12 Schools in California, 2020-2021 School Year. Schools that are already open can remain open. Schools that are not already open must follow the reopening criteria laid out in that guidance.

The state maintains a publicly-available dashboard on hospital and ICU capacity by county.

Yes. Currently the state has 11 alternative care sites that could be activated in 24-96 hours should they be needed. The total number of beds in these alternative care sites is 1,862. In addition to the alternative care sites the state has 22 California Medical Stations, which are 50 bed field hospitals, in our cache that can be rapidly deployed. In total we have a capacity of approximately 3,000 additional medical beds currently available beyond what we have in the hospital system. Information on the number of alternative care sites and the number of surge beds in use can be found at the Alternate Care Site Dashboard.

The order went into effect on Thursday, March 19, 2020. The order is in place until further notice. It covers the whole state of California.

The order was modified on May 4, 2020. On August 28, 2020 the State modified it further with the release of the Blueprint for a Safer Economy to permit gradual reopening of certain businesses and activities.

On November 21, 2020, Californians in counties in the Widespread (purple) tier were directed to stop non-essential activities between 10PM and 5AM via the Limited Stay Home Order. On December 3, 2020, further restrictions were implemented in regions with low ICU capacity under the Regional Stay Home Order. Both the Limited Stay Home Order and the Regional Stay Home Order were lifted January 25, 2021.

See the Blueprint for a Safer Economy for state restrictions in your area. Further local restrictions may apply.

The Governor has ordered Californians to obey the directives of the State Public Health Officer. Those directives take many forms; they include specific materials linked on this page, as well as these questions and answers. These questions and answers are directives from the State Public Health Officer, and have the same force and effect as other State Public Health Officer directives.

Yes. The State Public Health Officer may issue new orders as the public health situation changes.

You can check the open or closed status of more than 90 kinds of businesses or activities at the Blueprint for a Safer Economy.

The Blueprint for a Safer Economy has a map of California with each county’s current tier status: Widespread (purple), Substantial (red), Moderate (orange), or Minimal (yellow).

Yes. Hair salons and barbershops can open in every county, with modifications for safety. See what’s open in your area.

Playgrounds may remain open to facilitate physically distanced personal health and wellness through outdoor exercise. Playgrounds located at schools that remain open for in-person instruction, and not accessible by the general public, may remain open and must follow guidance for schools and school-based programs (PDF).

Outdoor swimming pools are allowed to open in all counties in California. Outdoor pools must close slides, rides, or other attractions. 

Indoor swimming pools are closed in counties in the Widespread (purple) or Substantial (red) tiers.

Drowning prevention classes, including swim lessons with certified instructors, are permitted in indoor and outdoor swimming pools in all tiers, as they are deemed essential.

Water parks, both indoor and outdoor, remain closed throughout the state.

When out of the water, masks or face coverings should be worn. Physical distancing should be practiced at all times. Group gatherings are not allowed. Bring your own towel, and don’t share items that are worn on the face (like goggles, nose clips, or snorkels). Pool operators should follow heightened cleaning and safety guidance in response to COVID-19. See sector guidance for gyms and fitness centers and campgrounds and outdoor recreation.

The risk of COVID-19 infection is still real for all Californians and continues to be fatal. That is why every business permitted to open should take every step humanly possible to reduce the risk of infection by following these state guidelines.

Essential workforce and critical infrastructure sectors are defined on the Essential workforce web page.

Yes. As described in more detail elsewhere in applicable state public health directives (including on this page), there are a wide range of circumstances in which you may leave your home or other place of residence, even if you are not an Essential Critical Infrastructure Worker. For example, you may leave your home to work at any business or other entity that is allowed to open, to engage in in-person worship and protest activities consistent with public health directives, to patronize local businesses, or to care for friends or family members who require assistance (as set forth under Health care). And errands like these are not the only reasons you may leave your home: you may also leave your home with or without a specific destination in mind (for example, to walk your dog, to engage in physical recreation, or simply to get some fresh air) as long as you maintain physical distancing and comply with any other applicable public health directives.

They are being enforced, and you can report it. Report unsafe conditions or businesses that shouldn’t be open to your local Alcohol Beverage Control, Labor Commissioner’s office, or regional Cal/OSHA office, depending on the type of business. To find these local contacts, see Appendix B of the Employer Playbook for a Safe Reopening (PDF).

You can walk your dog. You can go to the vet or pet hospital if your pet is sick. Remember to wear a face covering and distance yourself at least 6 feet from other pets and owners.

There are many ways for you to express your political views without holding a physical, in-person gathering.  For example, you may continue to call or write elected officials, write letters to the editor of news publications, display lawn or window signs, or use online and other electronic media (including Zoom rooms, Twitter feeds, Facebook pages, and other digital forums) to express your views.  

Additionally, as noted above, you may leave your home for any reason as long as you comply with any other applicable public health directives. When you are otherwise out in public, public health directives do not prevent you from engaging in political expression—such as by wearing or carrying a sign.

If collective action in physical space is important to you, consider whether you and other participants can safely protest from within your cars. The State Public Health Officer does not consider in-car activities to be gatherings, if participants stay in their cars and otherwise remain apart from individuals who are not part of their households. Many activists have organized car-based protests (honking horns, flying flags, displaying signs, and so on) to express their political views while complying with State public health directives.  

Whenever you are considering a protest (including an in-car protest), make sure you comply with all other applicable laws, including any local public-health measures that may be more restrictive than statewide directives and any other applicable local laws.

If you do wish to engage in in-person protest outside of your car with a group of any size, you must follow the guidelines for political protest gatherings below.

Yes, although in-person protests and rallies present special public health concerns for high risk of COVID-19 transmission. 

Even with adherence to physical distancing, bringing members of different households together to engage in in-person protests and rallies carries an especially high risk of widespread transmission of COVID-19.  Such gatherings may result in increased rates of infection, hospitalization, and death, especially among more vulnerable populations. In particular, activities like chanting, shouting, singing, and group recitation negate the risk-reduction achieved through 6 feet of physical distancing. For this reason, people engaging in these activities must wear face coverings at all times.

Therefore, it is strongly recommended that those exercising their right to engage in political expression (including, for example, their right to petition the government) should utilize alternative channels, such as the many online and broadcasting platforms available in the digital age, in place of in-person gatherings. 

However, state public health directives do not prohibit in-person outdoor protests and rallies as long as you maintain a physical distance of at least 6 feet between persons or groups of persons from different households at all times. In addition, you must wear a face covering or mask. Local Health Officers are advised to consider appropriate limitations on outdoor attendance capacities, factoring their jurisdiction’s key COVID-19 health indicators. Failure to follow these requirements may result in an order to disperse or other enforcement action. 

In counties in the Widespread (purple) tier, indoor protests and rallies are not currently permitted. In other counties, state public health directives do not prohibit in-person indoor protests and rallies as long as (1) attendance is limited as required by the relevant restrictions on places of worship and local health restrictions, (2) physical distancing of at least 6 feet between persons or groups of persons from different households is maintained at all times, and (3) singing and chanting activities are discontinued. Failure to follow these requirements may result in an order to disperse or other enforcement action. Masks and face coverings are required in compliance with CDPH directives.

Participants must maintain a physical distance of at least 6 feet from any uniformed peace officers and other public safety personnel present, unless otherwise directed, and follow all other requirements and directives imposed by local health officers and law enforcement, or other applicable authorities.

This limitation on attendance will be reviewed regularly. This review will assess the impacts of these imposed limits on public health and provide further direction as part of a phased-in restoration of gatherings that implicate the First Amendment.

Elections are an essential activity, and applicable provisions of the Elections Code continue to govern elections during COVID-19 unless suspended or amended. Specific legislation has been enacted to address the administration of elections during COVID-19. Pursuant to this legislation, measures like vote by mail, early voting locations, and ballot drop boxes have been used to ensure that California’s elections are safe, secure, and accessible. Find guidance for the safe administration of elections during COVID-19.

 Visit online voter registration to register to vote or check your voter registration status. 

Practice physical distancing and follow other applicable public health directives while engaged in election-related activities. These include collection and drop-off of ballots, and collection of signatures to qualify candidates or measures for the ballot.

Yes. Places of worship such as churches, mosques, temples, and synagogues can open throughout the state, with modifications for safety (PDF). In counties in the Widespread (purple) tier, indoor services in places of worship are now permitted at 25% of room’s usual capacity, but outdoor services, remote services, and other alternatives to in-person religious practice are strongly recommended. In the Substantial (red) tier, indoor services in places of worship are permitted at 25% of room’s usual capacity. In counties in the Moderate (orange) and Minimal (yellow) tier, indoor services are permitted at 50% capacity.

Yes. Practicing your faith is a constitutionally-protected activity and may manifest in many different forms.

Although in-person religious gatherings—like other in-person gatherings—have been restricted to prevent the transmission of COVID-19, on May 25, 2020, the State Public Health Officer began to ease restrictions on in-person religious gatherings. In particular, the State Public Health Officer now authorizes County Departments of Public Health to allow collective activities at places of worship, subject to conditions that support a safe, clean environment for employees, interns and trainees, volunteers, scholars, and all other types of workers as well as congregants, worshippers, and visitors.

Information on conditions imposed by the state can be found at guidance for places of worship (PDF). Additional conditions may be imposed by local public health officials. This guidance does not obligate places of worship to resume in-person activity. It is strongly recommended that places of worship continue to facilitate remote services and other alternatives to in-person religious practice for those who are vulnerable to COVID19.

Even with adherence to physical distancing, convening in a congregational setting of multiple households to practice a personal faith carries a higher risk of widespread transmission of COVID-19, and may result in increased rates of infection, hospitalization, and death, especially among more vulnerable populations. In particular, activities like singing and group recitation dramatically increase the risk of COVID-19 transmission. For this reason, singing and chanting activities must be undertaken with the modifications specified by the guidance for places of worship. Congregants engaging in group recitation should wear face coverings at all times.

Places of worship may open indoor operations, observing capacity limits as noted in the Blueprint for a Safer Economy, and complying with all safety modifications and guidance requirements, when permitted by relevant local restrictions.

Local Health Officers are advised to consider appropriate limitations on outdoor attendance capacities, factoring their jurisdiction’s key COVID-19 health indicators. At a minimum, outdoor attendance should be limited naturally through implementation of strict physical distancing measures of a minimum of 6 feet between attendees from different households, in addition to other relevant protocols within this document.

This limitation will be regularly reviewed by the California Department of Public Health.

Yes.  Outdoor activities are permitted, and indoor activities are permitted if they comply with the cohort guidance.

The California Department of Public Health, in consultation with county Departments of Public Health, will regularly review and assess the impacts of these imposed limits on public health and provide further direction as part of a phased-in restoration of activities in places of worship.

Yes. Wedding ceremonies should follow the guidance for Places of worship or cultural ceremonies. As required by that guidance, social distancing should be practiced by all attendees. Wear masks, wash hands frequently, and keep 6 feet from anyone you don’t live with. 

Ceremonies have restrictions on their setting or capacity, and indoor ceremonies are strongly discouraged, especially in the Widespread (purple) and Substantial (red) tiers due to high risk of transmission indoors. But depending on your county’s tier status, the following are legally permitted:

• Widespread (purple) tier: Outdoor ceremonies are recommended. Indoor ceremonies are strongly discouraged, but allowed with max capacity of 25%.
• Substantial (red) tier: May be held indoors, but with max capacity of 25%
• Moderate (orange) tier: May be held indoors, but with max capacity of 50%
• Minimal (yellow) tier: May be held indoors, but with max capacity of 50%

Ceremonies should not allow for food or beverage for the guests, especially indoors.

Wedding receptions are permitted under the gatherings guidance for up to three households outdoors or indoors in Tiers 2 (Substantial – red), 3 (Moderate – orange), and 4 (Minimal – yellow). The household count includes everyone present, including hosts and guests.

• Widespread (purple) tier: Outdoor receptions are permitted for up to three households, including host and guests. 
• Substantial (red) tier: Outdoor and indoor receptions are permitted for up to three households, including host and guests. Indoor receptions are strongly discouraged. 
• Moderate (orange) tier: Outdoor and indoor receptions are permitted for up to three households, including host and guests. Indoor receptions are strongly discouraged.
• Minimal (yellow) tier: Outdoor and indoor receptions are permitted for up to three households, including host and guests. Indoor receptions are strongly discouraged.

While only very small wedding receptions are currently permitted, consider safer options like sharing your wedding online via video conference (Zoom, Google Meet, or other platforms). This protects all your loved ones, especially those at high risk like seniors or people with chronic conditions.

See more details in guidance for Places of worship and cultural ceremonies.

Gatherings for live musical, theatrical, and other artistic performances are not permitted indoors or outdoors in counties that have been designated as having “Widespread” (purple) or “Substantial” risk levels of the Blueprint for a Safer Economy. Because such gatherings frequently involve the mixing of people from different communities creating a high risk of transmission of COVID-19, until further CDPH guidance is issued, such gatherings are  allowed only in counties in the “Moderate” (orange) or “Minimal” (yellow) risk levels.  In addition, performances are permitted only if, in the exercise of their discretion, the relevant local or city health officer approves the precautions taken to ensure the safety of audience members, performers and others connected with the performance.  Performances may have no more than 50 persons in the audience in counties in the “Moderate” risk level and no more than 100 in counties in the “Minimal” risk level. If a local or city health officer approves a performance, the officer shall notify CDPH of the approval within two business days.   

During approved performances, all audience members and others not performing must wear masks, and audience members from different households must be spaced at least six feet apart when seated or otherwise viewing the performance. Performers who are not wearing face coverings must be at least six feet apart from each other. 

Approval is not required in counties with a “Moderate” or “Minimal” risk level for a live musical, theatrical, or artistic performance if, in aggregate, members of no more than three households attend, perform, or otherwise are involved in the performance.

Additionally, live performances are permitted to the extent that they are permitted by applicable sector guidance for the venue hosting such a performance (such as restaurants, wineries, or bars).

Yes, but first check if you can complete your transaction online. Nearly all Californians can now renew their driver’s license online – even if the renewal notice states an office visit is required. Customers can also use the Service Advisor on the DMV website to learn their options to complete DMV tasks.

To protect customers and employees, the DMV requires everyone who enters DMV offices to wear a face covering, physically distance, respond to health screening questions, and have their temperature checked. To best serve customers and maintain appropriate distance, the number of people allowed in the office is limited, chairs are appropriately spaced, and plexiglass has been installed.

Safety measures in place for behind-the-wheel tests include required face coverings, responding to health screening questions, temperature checks, cracked windows for increased air circulation, and seat covers.

It depends. Some smog check locations may be closed. The Bureau of Automotive Repair advises drivers to still pay DMV vehicle registration fees to avoid any late fees. However, you will not receive your new registration or year sticker until the smog information has been received by DMV. Once state and local orders or directives are no longer in effect, you can then obtain the required smog check certificate to complete the DMV vehicle registration process.

Court operations vary from county to county. You can use the California Courts Self-Help Center or reach out to your local government office for more information.

Court operations vary from county to county. You can use the California Courts Self-Help Center or reach out to your local government office for more information about jury duty.