Stay home Q&A

Essential services that protect public health, public safety, and provide essential needs will remain open, such as:

• Gas stations 
• Pharmacies
• Food: Grocery stores, farmers markets, food banks, convenience stores, take-out and delivery restaurants 
• Banks 
• Laundromats/laundry services 
• Essential state and local government functions will also remain open, including law enforcement and offices that provide government programs and services.

Businesses in a number of other sectors can now also open, with necessary modifications.

Retailers can open statewide. All will require modifications to support social distancing. This includes:

• Shopping malls
• Libraries (for delivery and curbside pickup)
• Drive-in theaters (with modifications)
• Bookstores
• Jewelry stores
• Toy stores
• Clothing and shoe stores
• Home and furnishing stores
• Sporting goods stores
• Florists

Offices (in all sectors, not only critical infrastructure)

Limited services which do not generally require close customer contact, such as: 

• Pet grooming
• Dog walking
• Car washes
• Appliance repair
• Residential and janitorial cleaning
• Places of worship (with modifications)
• Plumbing

Outdoor museums

The following may open only in counties approved to move further ahead in Stage 2:

• Dine-in restaurants
• Hair salons and barber shops

Statewide, the following are still closed:

• Bars and nightclubs 
• Entertainment venues 
• Gyms and fitness studios 
• Public events and gatherings 
• Convention centers
• Nail salons

However, if your county has a variance, the following may open:

• Dine-in restaurants
• Hair salons and barber shops

It depends. If your county has been approved to move further into Stage 2, then hair salons and barber shops may reopen in your area. See the list of counties with a variance.

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.

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

This is a statewide order. Counties may open additional Stage 2 sectors more quickly if they meet certain criteria.

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 patronize local businesses, or to care for friends or family members who require assistance (as set forth below).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 do not gather with any number of people who are not members of your household.

Gatherings—meetings or other events that bring together persons from multiple households at the same time for a shared or group experience in a single room, space, or place such as an auditorium, stadium, arena, large conference room, meeting hall, or other indoor or outdoor space—pose an especially great danger of transmission and spread of COVID-19. As a consequence, State public health directives prohibit professional, social and community mass gatherings.

On May 25, 2020, in an effort to balance First Amendment interests with public health, the State Public Health Officer created an exception to the prohibition against mass gatherings for faith-based services and cultural ceremonies as well as protests. Those types of gatherings are permitted so long as they do not exceed 100 attendees or 25% of the capacity of the space in which the gathering is held, whichever is lower. All other mass gatherings are prohibited until further notice.

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 do not gather with people who are not members of your household.  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 protests 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, as explained below, although in-person protests present special public health concerns. 

Even with adherence to physical distancing, bringing members of different households together to engage in in-person protest carries a higher 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 six feet of physical distancing. For this reason, people engaging in these activities should 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 protests as long as (1)  attendance is limited to 25% of the relevant area’s maximum occupancy, as defined by the relevant local permitting authority or other relevant authority, or a maximum of 100 attendees, whichever is lower, and (2) physical distancing of six feet between persons or groups of persons from different households is maintained at all times. Failure to maintain adequate physical distancing may result in an order to disperse or other enforcement action. Face coverings are strongly recommended.

Participants must maintain a physical distance of six 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 at least once every 21 days, beginning May 25, 2020. 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 the Governor has issued executive orders to ensure elections are safe and accessible. Vote-by-mail ballots will be sent to all registered voters for the November 3, 2020 General Election. The Secretary of State and the California Department of Public Health are working on additional guidance to ensure that all Californians are able to participate in elections safely. Existing laws address the use of vote-by-mail ballots in California elections, and those laws remain in effect unless otherwise noted.

Of course, whenever you engage in any permissible activity—including the collection and drop-off of ballots, or other election-related activities—be mindful of physical distancing and other measures to protect yourself and those around you.

Yes. As of May 25, places of worship such as churches, mosques, temples, and synagogues can open throughout the state, with modifications for safety (PDF).

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 to 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.

Full 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 different 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, congregants engaging in singing, particularly in the choir, and group recitation should wear face coverings at all times.

Places of worship must therefore limit attendance to 25% of building capacity or a maximum of 100 attendees, whichever is lower. This limitation will be in effect for the first 21 days of a county public health department’s approval of religious services and cultural ceremonies activities at places of worship within their jurisdictions.

At this time, no. Children should remain in the care of those in their household unit and not interact with children of other parties at all times while visiting facilities. Additionally, places of worship must discontinue activities and services for children (including, for example, shared play areas) where physical distancing of at least six feet cannot be maintained.

Every 21 days, the California Department of Public Health, in consultation with county Departments of Public Health, will 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. This is because COVID-19 has an incubation period of 14 days; the 21-day interval accounts for this incubation period and provides for an additional seven days for thorough review, analysis, and preparation of modifications.

Yes. It is essential to keep children fed and educated.

Yes, all child care facilities can open with necessary modifications. See the Child care page. 

Yes, a child care worker can come to your home if necessary and should adhere to basic prevention guidelines (e.g. handwashing for at least 20 seconds, physical distancing, staying home if feeling ill).

If you have coronavirus symptoms, please contact your doctor through telehealth or use the Symptom Screener self-checker.

If you have other illnesses or chronic conditions, use telehealth to get care from home.

If you need to go to the hospital, call ahead so they can prepare for your arrival. If you need to call 911, tell the 911 operator the exact symptoms you are experiencing so the ambulance provider can prepare to treat you safely.

Preventive care services and non-emergency surgeries, like organ replacements and tumor removals, can take place if hospitals have enough capacity and protective equipment to do so safely. Eye exams and elective procedures should be cancelled or rescheduled. If possible, health care visits should be done remotely. Dental services and preventive dental care may be resumed. Contact your doctor through telehealth to see what services they are providing.

Yes. You may leave your home to obtain prescription medications or cannabis from dispensaries with medical permits.

You can contact your doctor through telehealth to get a new prescription or adjust your existing prescriptions.

You should check in on your older neighbors and loved ones with a call, text or physically distanced door knock to make sure they are okay. You can also teach them how to FaceTime, Zoom, Google Duo or use Facebook video to communicate. The most important thing you can do is to keep in touch with older loved ones for their mental health and safety.

You can call the statewide hotline for older Californians at 833-544-2374 for your non-urgent medical needs, to get meals delivered, track down prescriptions and more. The most important thing you can do is stay home for your health and wellbeing. If you are experiencing an emergency please call 911.

Yes. Be sure that you protect them and yourself by following social distancing guidelines such as washing hands before and after, using hand sanitizer, maintaining at least six feet of distance when possible, and coughing or sneezing into your elbow or a tissue and then washing your hands. If you have early signs of a cold, please stay away from your older loved ones.

Generally no. There are limited exceptions, such as if you are going to the hospital with a minor who is under 18 or someone who is developmentally disabled and needs assistance. For most other situations, the order prohibits visitation to these kinds of facilities. This is difficult, but necessary to protect hospital staff and other patients. Check the frequently asked questions for friends and family with a loved one in a skilled nursing or residential care facility for more detailed information.

It’s okay to go outside to go for a walk, to exercise, and participate in healthy activities as long as you maintain a safe physical distance of six feet and gather only with members of your household. Below is a list of some outdoor recreational activities.

*Parks may be closed to help slow the spread of the virus. Check with local officials about park closures in your area. Californians should not travel significant distances and should stay close to home.

• Athletics
• Badminton (singles)
• Throwing a baseball/softball
• BMX biking
• Canoeing (singles)
• Crabbing
• Cycling
• Exploring rock pools
• Gardening (not in groups)
• Golfing (singles, with carts)
• Hiking (trails/ paths allowing distancing)
• Horse riding (singles)
• Jogging and running
• Kite boarding and kitesurfing
• Meditation
• Outdoor photography
• Picnics (with your household members only)
• Quad biking
• Rock climbing
• Roller skating and rollerblading
• Rowing (singles)
• Scootering (not in groups)
• Skateboarding (not in groups)
• Soft martial arts – tai chi, chi kung (not in groups)
• Surfing
• Tennis and table tennis (singles)
• Throwing a football, kicking a soccer ball (not in groups)
• Trail running
• Trampolining
• Tree climbing
• Volleyball (singles)
• Walk the dog
• Wash the car
• Watch the sunrise or sunset
• Yoga

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

State Parks, campgrounds, museums, and visitor centers have been closed to help slow the spread of the virus. A list of all closures can be found at www.parks.ca.gov/flattenthecurve. See a list of outdoor spaces that are open on the Public recreation page.

You can walk, run, hike and bike in your local neighborhoods as long as they continue to practice social distancing of 6 feet. This means avoiding crowded trails & parking lots. Californians should not travel significant distances and should stay close to home.

For information on National Parks, please the National Park Service website.

You can travel for urgent matters or if such travel is essential to your permitted work. Non-essential travel for vacations or pleasure should be avoided. This is to slow the spread of the coronavirus.

71 select DMV offices are open to the public to help with appointments that require an in-person visit. You will be required to wear a cloth mask and must remain 6 feet apart in line. In-person appointments are limited to:

• Paying registration for a vehicle impounded because of registration-related issues
• Reinstating a suspended or revoked driver license
• Applying for a reduced-fee or no-fee identification card
• Processing commercial driver license transactions
• Applying for a disabled person parking placards
• Adding an ambulance certificate or firefighter endorsement to a driver license
• Verifying a transit training document to drive a transit bus
• Processing DMV Express customers for REAL ID transactions, if time and space allows

DMV services that do not require an in-person office visit can be accessed through the DMV Virtual Field Office, including driver’s license renewals, vehicle registrations, title changes, and more.

DMV has extended deadlines for:

• All drivers licenses expiring between March 1 through July 31, 2020
  • Drivers 70 years of age and older will receive a 120-day paper extension
  • Drivers 69 years of age and younger can request a free temporary extension online
• Expiring commercial licenses, endorsements, and certificates are valid through June 30, 2020
• In-person renewals for vehicle registrations that expire between the dates of March 16, 2020, and May 31, 2020.
• In-person renewals for those with safe driving records whose last DMV visit was 15 years ago 
• Driver license permits expiring between June through August 2020 are extended six months or to a date 24 months from the date of application, whichever is earlier.
• Commercial learner’s permits expiring between March and June 2020 are now valid through June 30, 2020